Summary of 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol (abbreviated 2-EH) is a fatty alcohol, an organic compound is a branched, eight-carbon chiral alcohol. It is a colorless liquid that is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. It is produced on a massive scale as a precursor to plasticizers, some of which are controversial as potential endocrine disruptors.

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is a clear, colourless liquid with an odour described as sweet, floral, intense, and unpleasant. Its formula is C8H18O, and CAS NO is 104-76-7. It occurs naturally in food and is also added as flavouring to foods. This compound is formulated by petrochemical synthesis and used predominately in the production of plasticizers for PVC resins, hexyl esters, and arylates. 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is also used in textiles and as a solvent and wetting agent. 

Almost all 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is converted into the diesters bis(2-Ethyl-1-hexanol) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer. Because it is a fatty alcohol, its esters tend to have emollient properties. For example, the sunscreen octocrylene contains a 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol ester for this purpose. It is also commonly used as a low volatility solvent. This chemical can also be used as an octane booster when reacted with nitric acid.

In the atmosphere, 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol occurs in the vapour phase and will undergo atmospheric degradation via photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. It is only moderately soluble in water, from which it will volatilize or undergo biodegradation. This compound is unlikely to adsorb to sediments or soil. 

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is produced industrially by the aldol condensation of n-butyraldehyde, followed by hydrogenation of the resulting hydroxyaldehyde. About 2,500,000 tons are prepared in this way annually. The n-butyraldehyde is made by hydroformylation of propylene, either in a self-contained plant or as the first step in a fully integrated facility. Most facilities make n-butanol and isobutanol in addition to 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol.

Plants, including a variety of fruits, are a natural source of 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol emissions. Anthropogenic emission sources of this chemical include those resulting from its manufacturing and use as a solvent. It is also released in the manufacturing of plasticizers, plastics, coatings, cetane improvers, lubricant additives, and surfactants. It is formed from combustion of PVC plastics and disinfection of water and wastewater using chlorine dioxide. In indoor environments, it is emitted from some carpeting. This chemical is currently not a reportable substance for Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory. 

In humans and animals, toxicity endpoints associated with acute 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol inhalation include irritation of eyes and throat, headaches, cough, dizziness, and fatigue. There is limited evidence to suggest acute, reversible neurotoxicity. No chronic effects were reported in either animal or human studies. Animal studies have concluded that this chemical is neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic. No data was identified for the effects of this chemical on terrestrial vegetation. In algae (Chlorella emersonii), 50 and 100 mg dm3 this chemical added to growth medium severely inhibited algal growth rate. 

The standard method for monitoring 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol in air employs the use of charcoal solid sorbent tubes. Reference air monitoring methods were limited to one method developed, tested and reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ambient air quality guidelines or objectives were developed for 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol by only 5 of the 22 agencies evaluated.These agencies included: Ontario, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Vermont. Where reported, the basis for the guideline or objective was odour. No guidelines were developed based on occupational exposure criteria as there were no occupational criteria for 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol. 


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