Quick Search
CAS no: 111-86-4
EC / List no: 203-916-0
Chemical formula: C8H19N
Synonyms: Octylamine, octylamine, 1-Octanamine, N-octyl amine, N-Octylamine, n-Octylamine, n-octylamine, octan-1-amine
Octylamine, also commercially known as 1-octylamine, n-octylamine, or 1-aminooctane (CAS: 111-86-4), is a high-value, straight-chain primary aliphatic amine containing an eight-carbon hydrocarbon tail attached to a reactive amino group (C8H17NH2). At room temperature, it appears as a volatile, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a distinct, characteristic amine or ammonia-like odor.
While exhibiting limited solubility in water due to its hydrophobic alkyl chain, Octylamine is highly miscible with almost all common organic solvents. This unique amphiphilic structure, combined with its moderate alkalinity and high reactivity, makes it an indispensable building block, surfactant precursor, and functional additive across modern chemical industries.
Key Properties of 1-Octanamine
Molar Mass: 129.24 g/mol
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Strong ammonia-like or fishy amine odor
Density: ~0.79 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)
Boiling Point: ~175–179 °C
Melting Point: ~−5 to −1 °C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, and many organic solvents
Flash Point: ~63 °C
Vapor Pressure: Low to moderate at room temperature
Refractive Index: ~1.43
Viscosity: Low viscosity liquid
Chemical Structure: Primary aliphatic amine with a linear eight-carbon chain
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; sensitive to strong oxidizing agents
Reactivity: Reacts readily with acids, acid chlorides, aldehydes, and oxidizing compounds
Main Function: Chemical intermediate, surfactant intermediate, and corrosion inhibitor component
Thermal Stability: Good thermal stability under standard industrial conditions
Structure and Chemical Behavior
The chemical versatility of Octylamine stems directly from its linear 8-carbon lipophilic chain paired with a terminal nucleophilic -NH2 head. This structural balance provides distinct functional advantages:
Amphiphilic Properties: Possesses both hydrophobic and hydrophilic traits, allowing it to efficiently bridge polar and non-polar phases in formulation chemistry.
High Reactivity: Readily participates in typical amine reactions, including alkylation, acylation, and salt formation when interacted with organic or inorganic acids.
Surface Activity: Naturally lowers surface tension, making it an ideal starting material for high-performance surface-active agents.
Key Advantages of Octylamine
Integrating Octylamine into specialty formulations and chemical synthesis delivers critical processing upgrades:
Excellent Fat Solubility: Ensures outstanding compatibility and miscibility within complex organic and hydrophobic resin systems.
Dual Functional Performance: Acts simultaneously as a physical property modifier (e.g., pH control, moisture barrier) and a highly reactive chemical intermediate.
Versatile Surface Modification: Easily functionalizes inorganic surfaces, carbon materials, and metal structures to improve dispersion and uniform behavior.
Industrial Applications
Surfactants, Detergents, and Emulsifiers
Octylamine is a vital raw material for the synthesis of cationic and amphoteric surfactants.
Serves as a key intermediate for manufacturing quaternary ammonium compounds utilized in industrial cleaners, fabric softeners, and laundry detergents.
Widely applied as an asphalt emulsifier to improve adhesion and moisture resistance in road construction.
Corrosion Inhibitors, Fuel Additives, and Lubricants
The strong binding affinity of the amino group allows Octylamine to form durable protective films on metal substrates.
Used as an anti-corrosion additive in functional fluids, industrial lubricants, greases, and metalworking systems.
Incorporated as a protective component in industrial boiler water systems, flotation agents for mineral processing, and specialized fuel formulations.
Agrochemicals and Biocides
Octylamine serves as a foundational building block for structural active ingredients in agricultural protection.
Extensively used as a primary raw material in the synthesis of high-performance pesticides, fungicides (such as Octhilinone - OIT), and agrochemical solvents like N-octylpyrrolidone.
Utilized to manufacture robust biocides integrated into protective marine antifouling coatings and wood preservation formulations.
Advanced Polymers, Resins, and Rubber Additives
In polymer science, Octylamine acts as a reactive modifier, curing component, and processing aid.
Functions as a curing agent and cross-linker for specialized epoxy and polyurethane systems, directly influencing final film hardness, flexibility, and cure rates.
Acts as a vulcanization accelerator and structural additive in natural rubber composites, optimizing the dispersion of zinc oxide (ZnO) to enhance mechanical robustness.
Advanced Nanotechnology and Material Science
Octylamine plays a major role in next-generation electronic and optical materials:
Quantum Dots & Nanocrystals: Synthesizes amphiphilic copolymers used for polymer-coating quantum dots (QDs) to render them water-soluble. It also improves the performance, integrity, and operational longevity of CsPbI3 nanocrystal-based LEDs.
Nanostructure Directing: Acts as a structure-directing and intercalation agent to synthesize uniform, ultrathin metal sulfide nanostructures, advanced vanadium disulfide composites, and specialized ZSM-5 zeolites.
Graphene Oxide Modification: Employed in the covalent functionalization of graphene oxide to improve electrochemical stability for hydrogen evolution and hydrophobic coatings.
Pharmaceuticals and Biochemical Research
Synthetic Intermediate: Serves as a key reactant in preparing 2H-indazoles, 1H-indazolones, and various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) targeting myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition.
Laboratory Reagent: Widely applied in life science research, organic synthesis, biochemical studies, and for creating fluorescent probes used in protein detection.
Printing Inks, Coatings, and Consumer Goods
Frequently incorporated into industrial varnishes, lacquers, protective architectural paints, printing inks, and consumer toner formulations.
Flavors & Fragrances: Utilized by fragrance chemists as a synthesis intermediate to achieve specific nitrogen-containing, heavy or fatty aroma profiles.
Octylamine is commercially supplied primarily as a technical-grade liquid, distributed in bulk industrial quantities, drums, and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) to satisfy large-scale manufacturing requirements. For sensitive applications—such as flavor, fragrance, high-tech electronics, and pharmaceutical synthesis—ultra-high purity grades with verified amine content and minimal water levels are preferred to ensure reaction consistency and prevent cross-contamination.
