112-53-8

Physical properties

1-Dodecanol is a white low melting crystalline solid that has a melting point of 24°C.The air odor threshold for dodecyl alcohol (isomer not specified) is reported to be 7.1 ppb.

Definition

ChEBI: 1-Dodecanol is a fatty alcohol that is dodecane in which a hydrogen from one of the methyl groups is replaced by a hydroxy group. It is registered for use in apple and pear orchards as a Lepidopteran pheromone/sex attractant, used to disrupt the mating behaviour of certa n moths whose larvae destroy crops.

Preparation

Commercially 1-Dodecanol may be prepared by hydrogenation of lauric acid; normally employed as a replacement for the corresponding aldehyde.

Production Methods

1-Dodecanol is produced commercially by the oxo process and from ethylene by the Ziegler process, which involves oxidation of trialkylaluminum compounds. It can also be produced by sodium reduction or high-pressure hydrogenation of esters of naturally occurring lauric acid.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 73 to 820 ppb

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 108, p. 6036, 1986 DOI: 10.1021/ja00279a061Tetrahedron Letters, 37, p. 3623, 1996 DOI: 10.1016/0040-4039(96)00652-1

General Description

Colorless thick liquid with a sweet odor. Floats on water. Freezing point is 75°F.

Reactivity Profile

Dodecyl alcohol is an alcohol. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert them to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.

Health Hazard

Liquid will cause burning of the eyes and may irritate skin.

Flammability and Explosibility

Nonflammable

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. Mildly toxic by ingestion. A severe human skin irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use dry chemical, CO2. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes

Carcinogenicity

1-Dodecanol showed weak tumor-promoting activity when applied three times a week for 60 weeks to the skin of mice that had previously received an initiating dose of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Papillomas developed in 2 of 30 mice after 39 and 49 weeks of treatment.

Purification Methods

Crystallise dodecanol from aqueous EtOH, and distil it through a spinning-band column under vacuum. [Ford & Marvel Org Synth 10 62 1930, Beilstein 1 IV 1844.]