Oxo alcohols are alcohols that are prepared by adding
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
(CO) and
hydrogenHydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable diatomic gas with the molecular formula H
2...
(usually combined together as synthesis gas) to an olefin to obtain an
aldehydeAn aldehyde is an organic compound containing a terminal carbonyl group. This functional group, which consists of a carbon atom bonded to a hydrogen atom and double-bonded to an oxygen atom , is called the aldehyde group...
using the
hydroformylationHydroformylation, also known as oxo synthesis, is an important industrial process for the production of aldehydes from alkenes. This chemical reaction entails the addition of a formyl group and a hydrogen atom to a carbon-carbon double bond...
reaction and then
hydrogenatingHydrogenation is the chemical reaction that results from the addition of hydrogen . The process is usually employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. The process typically constitutes the addition of pairs of hydrogen atoms to a molecule. Catalysts are required for the reaction to be...
the aldehyde to obtain the alcohol. An intermediate step of adding two aldehydes together to obtain a larger aldehyde (the
aldol condensationAn Aldol condensation is an organic reaction in which an enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone, followed by dehydration to give a conjugated enone....
reaction) can precede the hydrogenation.
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Oxo alcohols are alcohols that are prepared by adding
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
(CO) and
hydrogenHydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable diatomic gas with the molecular formula H
2...
(usually combined together as synthesis gas) to an olefin to obtain an
aldehydeAn aldehyde is an organic compound containing a terminal carbonyl group. This functional group, which consists of a carbon atom bonded to a hydrogen atom and double-bonded to an oxygen atom , is called the aldehyde group...
using the
hydroformylationHydroformylation, also known as oxo synthesis, is an important industrial process for the production of aldehydes from alkenes. This chemical reaction entails the addition of a formyl group and a hydrogen atom to a carbon-carbon double bond...
reaction and then
hydrogenatingHydrogenation is the chemical reaction that results from the addition of hydrogen . The process is usually employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. The process typically constitutes the addition of pairs of hydrogen atoms to a molecule. Catalysts are required for the reaction to be...
the aldehyde to obtain the alcohol. An intermediate step of adding two aldehydes together to obtain a larger aldehyde (the
aldol condensationAn Aldol condensation is an organic reaction in which an enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone, followed by dehydration to give a conjugated enone....
reaction) can precede the hydrogenation.
Key oxo alcohols that are sold in commerce include the following:
- n-Butanol
Butanol or butyl alcohol can refer to any of the four isomeric alcohols of formula C
4H
9OH:*n-Butanol, butan-1-ol, 1-butanol, n-butyl alcohol;*Isobutanol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, isobutyl alcohol;...
- 2-Ethylhexanol
2-Ethylhexanol , or isooctanol, is a fatty alcohol, an organic compound used in the manufacture of a variety of products. It is a branched, eight-carbon alcohol. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is nearly insoluble in water, but well soluble in most organic solvents.2-Ethylhexanol can be...
- Isononyl alcohol
- Isodecyl alcohol
Key manufacturers of oxo alcohols include the following companies:
- BASF
BASF SE is a German chemical company and the largest chemical company in the world. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik . Today, the four letters are a registered trademark and the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and Zurich Stock...
- Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow Chemical...
- Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman Chemical Company is a United States based chemical company, engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemicals, fibers, and plastics. Eastman has 11 manufacturing sites in seven countries, supplying its products throughout the world...
- ExxonMobil
The Exxon Mobil Corporation, or ExxonMobil, is an American oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil....
Chemical Company
Oxo alcohols are used as solvents and are reacted with
phthalic anhydridePhthalic anhydride is the organic compound with the formula C6H42O. This anhydride of phthalic acid, a colourless solid, is an important industrial chemical, especially for the large-scale production of plasticizers for plastics.-Synthesis and production:Phthalic...
to form
phthalatesPhthalates, or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticizers . They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride...
, which find use in commerce as
vinylA vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group , −CH=CH2. These are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group...
plasticizers.