n-Heptyl alcohol (CAS NO.: ), with other names as 1-heptanol, could be produced through the following synthetic routes.

In a 12-l. flask fitted with a mechanical stirrer and a short reflux condenser are placed 1800 g. (32.2 atoms) of iron filings, 3 l. (52.5 moles) of glacial acetic acid, 3 l. of water, and 450 g. (3.95 moles) of heptaldehyde. The mixture is heated on the steam bath, with stirring, for six to seven hours. The flask is then fitted to an apparatus for steam distillation (p. 479) and the mixture distilled in a current of steam until no more oil passes over (7–8 l. of distillate). The oil is then separated, and the aqueous part distilled to recover a small quantity of dissolved or suspended heptyl alcohol.

The combined product is mixed with 1 l. of 20 per cent sodium hydroxide solution and stirred on the steam bath for four hours, in order to hydrolyze a small proportion of heptyl acetate. The oil is then separated and distilled, and the portion boiling at 172–176° is collected. The residue in the flask is mixed with about 100 cc. of water and distilled, whereupon a further small quantity of oil passes over with the steam. This distillate and the forerun are freed of the bulk of the water in a separatory funnel and distilled from a smaller flask. In this way the total yield of n-heptyl alcohol boiling at 172–176° (uncorr.) is 350–370 g. (75–81 per cent of the theoretical amount). The alcohol may be redistilled under reduced pressure, when it passes over almost without loss at 71–72°/12 mm.