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Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are typically used as emulsifiers, detergents, and wetting agents.
They possess excellent surfactant properties, making them ideal for use in products like shampoos, body washes, laundry detergents, and industrial cleaners.
The ethoxylation process involves reacting fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide (EO), which results in the incorporation of ethylene oxide units into the alcohol's structure.
The number of ethylene oxide units can vary, which influences the properties of the final product.
Cas Number 68439-50-9
Synonyms
C12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates,Lauryl/myristyl alcohol ethoxylate,Ethoxylated C12-C14 alcohol, C12-14 fatty alcohol ethoxylates
Introduction
Definition and General Properties:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated (often referred to as C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates) are a group of nonionic surfactants formed by the ethoxylation of alcohols derived from natural fats and oils.
These alcohols consist of a mixture of C12 to C14 straight-chain fatty alcohols.
They are versatile chemicals used in a wide range of industries, particularly in formulations requiring surfactants, emulsifiers, or detergents.
Historical Background and Development:
The process of ethoxylation, wherein ethylene oxide is added to a fatty alcohol, has been developed to improve solubility, reduce foaming, and enhance the surface-active properties of alcohols.
The evolution of alcohol ethoxylates can be traced back to the mid-20th century, primarily driven by the need for better surfactants in cleaning and detergent formulations.
Chemical Properties
Chemical Structure and Molecular Formula:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are typically represented by the formula C12-14H25-29(OCH2CH2)nOH, where "n" represents the number of ethylene oxide (EO) units in the ethoxylated chain.
These compounds consist of a hydrophobic alkyl chain (C12-14) and a hydrophilic ethoxy group (-OCH2CH2)n, which allows them to act as surfactants.
The ethoxylation degree (n) can vary, altering the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and, consequently, the performance of the surfactant in different environments.
Ethoxylation Process:
The process involves reacting fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst, typically a strong base like sodium hydroxide.
The result is a mixture of different ethoxylated alcohols, with varying lengths of ethylene oxide chains.
Physical Properties:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are typically clear liquids or solids, depending on the molecular weight and the degree of ethoxylation.
They have high solubility in water, which makes them ideal for use in aqueous-based formulations.
Boiling points and melting points vary with the ethoxylation level, but these compounds generally have lower melting points than the original alcohols.
Their surface tension-reducing ability makes them effective emulsifiers.
Synthesis and Production
Overview of Synthesis:
Alcohol ethoxylates are produced by the reaction of fatty alcohols (derived from vegetable or animal fats) with ethylene oxide.
The process takes place under controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, and catalyst presence to ensure the desired molecular structure is achieved.
The reaction typically proceeds as follows:
R-OH (fatty alcohol) + n(C2H4O) (ethylene oxide) → R-(OCH2CH2)nOH (ethoxylated alcohol).
The ethoxylation reaction can be controlled to produce alcohols with varying degrees of ethylene oxide addition, which affects their hydrophilic and hydrophobic balance.
Methods of Production:
Batch Process: Involves mixing fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide under heat and pressure, followed by neutralization and purification.
Continuous Process: A more efficient method, wherein alcohols and ethylene oxide are continuously fed into a reactor, resulting in a steady production of alcohol ethoxylates with consistent properties.
Raw Materials and Catalysts:
The fatty alcohols used (C12-C14) are typically sourced from palm, coconut, or synthetic sources. Ethylene oxide, the key reactant, is derived from petrochemical processes.
Common catalysts used include potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.
Applications
Industrial Applications:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are primarily used as nonionic surfactants in cleaning products like detergents, laundry aids, and dishwashing liquids.
They help solubilize oils and grease, reduce surface tension, and enhance the cleaning power of detergents.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products:
These surfactants are used in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and other personal care products.
Their mild nature and excellent foaming properties make them suitable for skin care formulations.
Agricultural Applications:
In agriculture, alcohol ethoxylates serve as emulsifiers in pesticide formulations.
They enable the formation of stable emulsions, improving the delivery of active ingredients.
Other Industrial Uses:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are used as wetting agents in paints and coatings, dispersing agents in textiles, and stabilizers in food processing.
Environmental and Safety Aspects
Biodegradability:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are generally biodegradable.
The degree of biodegradability depends on the length of the ethoxylated chain, with shorter chains being more readily broken down by microorganisms.
Advantages and Limitations
Benefits:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated are known for their mildness, making them less irritating to skin than some other surfactants.
They are effective in a wide range of pH values and temperatures and offer good emulsifying and foaming properties.
Limitations:
One limitation of alcohol ethoxylates is their potential to cause environmental harm if improperly disposed of.
Additionally, the ethoxylation process can be expensive, particularly in terms of raw materials and energy costs.
Alternative Surfactants and Comparisons
Alternative Surfactants:
Other surfactants, such as alkyl polyglycosides (APGs), are often compared to alcohol ethoxylates due to their similar performance in cleaning products.
APGs, derived from natural sources like corn glucose, are considered more environmentally friendly.
Comparison of Performance:
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated generally provide better emulsification and wetting properties than APGs, but APGs offer superior environmental benefits, including greater biodegradability.
Regulatory and Market Trends
Regulations:
Alcohol ethoxylates are regulated by agencies like the US EPA and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Their use in household and industrial products is governed by specific guidelines regarding toxicity, biodegradability, and labeling.
Market Trends:
The market for alcohol ethoxylates is expanding, driven by demand in industries such as personal care, cleaning, and agriculture.
There is an increasing push toward developing more sustainable, biodegradable surfactants due to environmental concerns.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT ALCOHOLS, C12-14, ETHOXYLATED
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
