Hexyldecanol is a chemical compound, aliphatic alcohol.

The name defines the structure of the molecule

• "Hexyl". Indicates the presence of a hexyl side chain, which is an alkyl group.
• "Decanol". Is a fatty alcohol with a chain of 10 carbon atoms.

Description of the raw materials used in its production.

• Fatty Aldehyde - For example, decanal, an aldehyde with a 10-carbon chain.
• Fatty Alcohol - For example, hexan-1-ol, an alcohol with a 6-carbon chain.
• Catalyst - For example, potassium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, used to catalyze the reaction.

Step-by-step summary of its industrial chemical synthesis process. 

• Preparation of Reagents - Decanal and hexan-1-ol are prepared or purchased as raw materials.
• Chain Extension Reaction - The fatty aldehyde (decanal) reacts with the fatty alcohol (hexan-1-ol) in the presence of a catalyst. This extends the carbon chain of the aldehyde.
• Reduction - The product formed in step 2 is reduced to an alcohol, which in this case is Hexyldecanol.
• Purification - The product is purified to remove impurities and unreacted reagents, e.g., by distillation.

It occurs as a red/amber liquid.

What it is used for and where

Raw material for the production of surfactants, perfumes, herbicides, plasticisers, synthetic fibres, defoamers, lubricant additives, etc.. 

Food

• Used in small quantities in the preparation of various fruit, cream, coconut etc. flavours.
• Ripening agent for green fruits 

Cosmetics

Dispersant and, in small amounts, incorporated into fragrances in scented soaps and as a mixing agent for linalool.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Printing Industry

• Solvent for inks

Industry 

• Industrial deodorisation. To cover bad odours of industrial products.

PVC

•  Raw material for PVC yarn coating materials and plasticisers

Other applications

• Solvent and stabiliser for synthetic raw materials, pesticides, herbicides.
• Oil drilling and in secondary oil recovery.

Hexyldecanol studies

Typical optimal commercial product characteristics 2-hexyldecan-1-ol

• Molecular Formula  C₁₆H₃₄O    C₁₀H₂₂O
• Linear Formula     CH₃(CH₂)₇CH[(CH₂)₅CH₃]CH₂OH
• Molecular Weight     242.44
• Exact Mass   242.260971
• CAS  2425-77-6     112-30-1
• UNII     151Z7P1317
• EC Number   219-370-1    203-956-9
• DSSTox Substance ID  DTXSID1041265
• IUPAC  2-hexyldecan-1-ol
• InChI=1S/C16H34O/c1-3-5-7-9-10-12-14-16(15-17)13-11-8-6-4-2/h16-17H,3-15H2,1-2H3 
• InChl Key      XULHFMYCBKQGEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES   CCCCCCCCC(CCCCCC)CO
• MDL number  MFCD00060903
• PubChem Substance ID    24870185
• ChEBI  183266
• NSC   2399

Synonyms:

• 2-Hexyl-1-decanol
• 1-Decanol, 2-hexyl-
• 2-Hexyldecanol