[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, 2-hexanol

Hexanol properties

Hexanol (Hexanol) is an important organic compound with the chemical formula C6H13OH. It belongs to fatty alcohols, and the common isomers include 1-hexanol, 2-hexanol, etc., of which 1-hexanol is the most common. Hexanol is a colorless liquid at room temperature, with a slight alcohol odor, a boiling point of about 157-158 ℃, and a density of about 0.82g/cm³. Hexanol is soluble in ethanol and ether, but less soluble in water. Its chemical properties are relatively stable, but in the presence of strong oxidants may react to produce the corresponding aldehyde or acid.

Hexanol use

Hexanol is widely used in industry, mainly in the following aspects:

1. Solvent: Hexanol is an effective organic solvent, commonly used in the production process of coatings, inks and resins, which can dissolve a variety of organic substances and provide a uniform solution.

2. Chemical raw materials: Hexanol is an important intermediate for the synthesis of a variety of chemicals, such as hexanoic acid, hexanal, etc. Ethanol is also one of the raw materials for the production of plasticizers, lubricants and fragrances.

3. Fragrances and flavors: Due to its unique odor, hexanol is widely used in the fragrance industry to modulate floral and fruity fragrances.

4. Pharmaceutical field: Hexanol can be used as a solvent and intermediate of drugs, and participate in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical ingredients.

Hexanol upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of hexanol involves a variety of raw materials and processes, and its upstream and downstream industrial chains are relatively complete:

1. Upstream raw materials:

   • 1-hexene: through the hydrogenation reaction can produce 1-hexanol.
   • Synthesis gas: By the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) process, synthesis gas can be converted to long chain alcohols, including hexanol.
   • Vegetable oil: through biological fermentation or biomass conversion, can get hexanol.

2. Downstream Products:

   • Hexanoic acid: Through oxidation, hexanol can be converted to hexanoic acid, which is used in the production of fragrances, lubricants, etc.
   • Hexanal: through partial oxidation reaction, hexanol can generate hexanal, widely used in spices and pharmaceutical intermediates production.
   • Plasticizers: Hexanol can be used to produce a variety of plasticizers to improve plastic flexibility and durability.
   • Surfactant: Hexanol as a surfactant raw material, can be used in the manufacture of detergents and emulsifiers.

Hexanol production process

The production process of hexanol mainly has the following kinds:

1. Hydrogenation method: 1-hexene is used as raw material to produce 1-hexanol through hydrogenation reaction under certain conditions. This method is simple, high yield, is the main mode of production.

2. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis method: using synthesis gas (CO and H2) in the presence of a catalyst, through the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction to produce long-chain alcohols, including hexanol. This method has a wide range of raw materials, and can use natural gas, coal and other resources.

3. Biological fermentation method: through microbial fermentation, the plant oil and other biomass into hexanol. This method has the advantages of environmental protection and sustainable development, but the process is complex and the cost is high.

Hexanol storage method

The storage of hexanol needs to pay attention to the following points to ensure its quality and safety:

1. Storage container: metal or glass containers with good sealing performance should be used to avoid contact with air to prevent oxidation and deterioration. The container shall be clean and dry to avoid contamination.

2. Storage environment: The storage environment should be kept cool and dry, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature. The temperature should be controlled between 15-25 ℃, and the relative humidity should not be too high to prevent moisture from entering the container.

3. Keep away from fire source: Ethanol belongs to flammable liquid, should be away from fire source, heat source, avoid open flame and high temperature environment. The storage area shall be provided with fire prevention facilities, such as fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.

4. Well ventilated: The storage area should be well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of hexanol vapor and the formation of explosive mixtures. If necessary, exhaust equipment can be set to ensure air circulation.

5. Prevent leakage: During storage and handling, pay attention to the tightness of the container to prevent ethanol leakage. In case of leakage, it should be cleaned up in time to avoid diffusion and environmental pollution.

Safety and environmental protection

When using and storing hexanol, attention must be paid to its safety and environmental protection:

1. Personal protection: Operators should wear protective gloves, goggles and protective clothing to avoid skin and eye contact with ethanol. The workplace should be equipped with emergency flushing equipment, in case of emergency.

2. Leakage treatment: in case of ethanol leakage, the leakage area shall be isolated immediately, and inert adsorption materials (such as sand and activated carbon) shall be used for adsorption and proper treatment. Waste shall be disposed of in accordance with hazardous waste treatment standards.

3. Wastewater treatment: the ethanol-containing wastewater produced in the production process should be discharged after treatment to meet the standards to avoid polluting the water environment. Biodegradation, chemical oxidation and other methods can be used to treat wastewater.

4. Waste gas treatment: ethanol volatile strong, production and use of the process of waste gas should be collected and treated to avoid direct emissions. Adsorption, condensation and other methods can be used to recover ethanol to reduce environmental pollution.

Market Prospects and Challenges

As an important organic chemical raw material, the market demand for hexanol is growing steadily, but it also faces certain challenges:

1. Market demand: With the development of chemical, pharmaceutical, spice and other industries, the demand for hexanol continues to increase. Especially in the context of green chemistry and sustainable development, the market prospect of bio-based hexanol is broad.

2. Technological progress: The continuous progress of ethanol production technology has improved production efficiency and reduced costs. The development of new production processes and raw material sources has also provided new impetus for the development of the ethanol industry.

3. Environmental pressure: The treatment of waste water and waste gas produced in the production of ethanol is an important issue. Companies need to continuously improve environmental protection measures to reduce pollution and comply with environmental regulations.

4. International competition: The global ethanol market is highly competitive, and enterprises in various countries have upgraded their technical level and expanded their market share. China has strong competitiveness in the production and application of ethanol, but it also needs to face the challenges of the international market.

Conclusion

As an important organic chemical raw material, hexanol has broad application prospects in industrial production. Its production process continues to innovate, and market demand is growing steadily. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations and the intensification of international competition, the ethanol industry is also facing new challenges. Enterprises need to continuously improve their technical level and strengthen environmental protection measures in order to remain invincible in the market.