[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of isooctanol, safety technical instructions of isooctanol

Isooctanol properties

Isooctanol (2-ethylhexanol) is a colorless transparent liquid with a slight alcoholic odor. Its chemical formula is C8H18O and its molecular weight is 130.23g/mol. Isooctanol has a boiling point of 184°C, a melting point of -76°C, a flash point of 76°C and a density of 0.833g/cm³. It has good solubility, can be dissolved in ethanol, ether and other organic solvents, but the solubility in water is low. Its viscosity is moderate, its chemical properties are stable, it is not easy to be oxidized or reduced, and it can react with a variety of chemical substances to generate esters, ethers and other compounds.

Isooctanol use

Isooctanol is widely used in various industrial fields. It is the main raw material for the preparation of diisooctyl phthalate (DOP), a commonly used plasticizer widely used in the production of plastic products such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Isooctanol also has important applications in the coatings industry, which can be used as a solvent and cosolvent for coatings to improve the fluidity and stability of coatings. Isooctanol is also used in the preparation of lubricating oil additives, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, etc. Its role as an intermediate in chemical synthesis cannot be ignored, and the production of many fine chemicals requires isooctanol as one of the reactants.

Isooctanol upstream feedstock

The main feedstocks for the production of isooctanol are propylene and synthesis gas. Propylene mainly comes from the by-products in the process of petroleum cracking and catalytic cracking, through hydrogenation reaction to obtain n-propanol, and then through the oligomerization reaction to obtain diisopropyl ether, and finally through acid catalytic cracking to produce isooctyl alcohol. Synthesis gas is mainly obtained from raw materials such as natural gas, coal or heavy oil through gasification or partial oxidation reaction. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas can generate aldehydes through carbonylation reaction, and then generate alcohols, including isooctanol, through hydrogenation reaction.

Isooctanol Downstream Products

The downstream products of isooctanol are mainly concentrated in the plastics and coatings industry. Diisooctyl phthalate (DOP), which is produced from isooctyl alcohol, is widely used in the manufacture of soft PVC products, such as wires and cables, hoses, and artificial leather. Isooctanol is also an important intermediate for the preparation of butyl rubber, polyurethane and alkyd resins, which are widely used in automobiles, construction, furniture and other fields. In the coatings industry, isooctanol is used as a solvent and co-solvent to produce a variety of paints, varnishes and coatings, improving product performance and quality.

Isooctanol production process

There are two main production processes for isooctanol: oligomerization and hydrodecarbonylation. The oligomerization method uses propylene as raw material, obtains diisopropyl ether through oligomerization reaction, and then generates isooctanol through acid catalytic cracking. The hydrodecarbonylation method uses synthesis gas as raw material, generates aldehydes through carbonylation reaction, and then generates alcohols through hydrogenation reaction. The two processes have their own advantages and disadvantages, the oligomerization process is simple, the equipment investment is small, but the raw material price is higher, the hydrogenation decarbonylation method has a wide range of raw materials, the cost is low, but the process is complex, the equipment investment is larger.

Isooctanol storage method

The storage of isooctanol requires attention to fire prevention, explosion prevention and leakage prevention. Isooctanol is flammable and should be kept away from fire and heat sources, and appropriate fire protection equipment should be installed in the storage area. Isooctanol has a certain degree of volatility, and the storage container should be kept sealed to avoid leakage and volatilization. Storage containers shall be made of corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or glass fiber reinforced plastic, and shall be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent leakage caused by aging or damage of the containers. The warehouse where isooctanol is stored should be well ventilated, the temperature is suitable, and direct sunlight should be avoided to ensure the safety and stability of the storage environment.

Isooctanol Safety

In the use and handling of isooctanol, it is necessary to pay attention to its potential health hazards. Isooctanol is irritating to the skin and eyes and may cause redness and pain after exposure. Inhalation of high concentrations of isooctanol vapor may cause headache, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms, long-term exposure may affect the nervous system. Therefore, when handling isooctanol, you should wear appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles and protective clothing, and operate in a well-ventilated environment. In case of accidental contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention.

Market prospects and trends

With the advancement of industrialization and the growth of downstream demand, the market prospect of isooctanol is broad. In particular, the rapid development of the plastics and coatings industry will promote the continuous growth of isooctanol demand. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the demand for low volatility and environmentally friendly plasticizers has increased, which provides new market opportunities for isooctanol. Fluctuations in raw material prices and rising production costs also pose certain challenges to the development of the isooctanol industry. In the future, the improvement of production process and cost control will become the key to industry competition.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, isooctanol has broad application prospects and market potential. Its application in plastics, coatings, lubricant additives and other fields is expanding, and it also shows important value in the development of environmentally friendly plasticizers. Despite the challenges of production costs and raw material price fluctuations, the isooctanol industry can maintain a good development trend by optimizing the production process and improving resource utilization efficiency. In the future, with the technological progress and changes in market demand, isooctanol is expected to show new application potential in more fields.