Quick Search
Behenyl Alcohol, also known as docosanol, was first isolated from natural waxes such as beeswax and peanut oil during the early 20th century.
The term “behenyl” originates from Ben (from ben oil, obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds, rich in long-chain fatty acids).
Initially, its primary use was as a thickening agent in cosmetics and as a fatty alcohol in surfactant production
Synonyms:Docosanol,1-Docosanol,n-Docosanol,1-Behene Alcohol,n-Behenyl Alcohol
Docosyl Alcohol,C22 Alcohol,CH₃(CH₂)₂₁OH
CAS Number: 661-19-8
Molecular Structure and Bonding
Behenyl alcohol is a saturated, linear, long-chain aliphatic alcohol.
The molecule consists of a hydrophobic carbon chain (C21) attached to a single terminal hydroxyl (-OH) group. This amphiphilic structure allows partial polarity at one end, giving it surfactant and emulsifying characteristics.
Key Structural Features:
Primary alcohol functional group (–CH₂OH).
Fully saturated hydrocarbon chain (no double bonds).
Strong van der Waals forces between chains, accounting for its high melting point.
Nonpolar hydrophobic region dominates physical behavior.
The hydroxyl group provides slight hydrogen-bonding capability, relevant for intermolecular interactions in formulations.
Natural Occurrence and Sources
Behenyl alcohol occurs naturally in:
Beeswax,Candelilla wax,Carnauba wax,Peanut oil
Rapeseed oil (Brassica napus)
Moringa oil (Ben oil)
Vegetable fats and waxes
It is generally extracted by hydrogenation of behenic acid, a long-chain fatty acid (C22:0) derived from natural triglycerides.
Industrial Production Methods
Hydrogenation of Behenic Acid
This is the most common industrial process.
Process Steps:
Behenic acid is obtained from natural oils (e.g., Moringa, Rapeseed).
Catalytic hydrogenation using nickel or copper chromite catalyst.
The reaction is carried out under high pressure (100–300 atm) and 200–250 °C.
The product is purified via distillation and crystallization.
Catalyst: CuCr₂O₄
Reaction temperature: 220–240 °C
Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (Synthetic Route)
Using synthesis gas (CO + H₂) over cobalt catalysts to generate long-chain alcohol mixtures, from which C22 alcohol is fractionally distilled.
Purification and Refinement
Post-reaction purification involves:
Fractional distillation under vacuum to separate chain-length homologs.
Crystallization for solid-phase purification.
Adsorption filtration to remove catalyst residues.
Deodorization for cosmetic-grade material.
Purity levels:
Industrial grade: 95–98%
Cosmetic grade: ≥ 99%
Pharmaceutical grade: ≥ 99.5%
Analytical Characterization
Techniques Used:
Method Application
FTIR Spectroscopy Characteristic –OH stretch (3300 cm⁻¹) and CH₂ vibrations
GC–MS Quantitative and qualitative chain-length analysis
HPLC Purity and homolog content
NMR (¹H & ¹³C) Confirmation of chain structure
DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) Melting and crystallization profiles
TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) Thermal stability study
Key Spectroscopic Data
IR (cm⁻¹): 3310 (O–H), 2918, 2848 (C–H stretch), 1467 (CH₂ bend), 1060 (C–O stretch)
¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 0.88 (t, CH₃), 1.25 (br, CH₂), 3.63 (t, CH₂OH)
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BEHENYL ALCOHOL
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
