Fatty Alcohol

Name:
Fatty Alcohol
Detailed information:
A primary alcohol (from C₈ to C₂₀), usually straight chain. High molecular weight alcohols are produced synthetically by the Oxo and Ziegler processes. Those from C₈ to C₁₁ are oily liquids; those greater than C₁₁ are solids. Other methods of production are (1) reduction of vegetable seed oils and their fatty acids with sodium; (2) catalytic hydrogenation at elevated temperatures and pressures; and (3) hydrolysis of spermaceti and sperm oil by saponification and vacuum fractional distillation. The more important commercial saturated alcohols are octyl, decyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, and stearyl. The commercially important unsaturated alcohols, such as oleyl, linoleyl, and linolenyl, are also normally included in this group. The odor tends to disappear as the chain length increases.

Use:

Solvent for fats, waxes, gums, and resins; pharmaceutical salves and lotions; lubricating-oil additives; detergents and emulsifiers; textile antistatic and finishing agents; plasticizers; nonionic surfactants; cosmetics.