Dehydol LS 6 is a non-ionic surfactant based on C12–C14 fatty alcohol ethoxylated with approximately six moles of ethylene oxide, chemically classified as Alcohols, C12–14, ethoxylated, and it is widely used as a versatile surface-active agent in both industrial and consumer formulations.
Owing to its amphiphilic molecular structure, which combines a hydrophobic alkyl chain with a hydrophilic polyoxyethylene segment, Dehydol LS 6 effectively reduces surface tension, enhances wetting, promotes emulsification, and provides strong detergency and dispersing performance.
Dehydol LS 6 is widely applied in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, institutional and industrial cleaning products, textile processing auxiliaries, and various specialty formulations where reliable soil removal, emulsification of oily contaminants, and good material compatibility are required.
CAS Number: 68439-50-9
EC Number: 931-257-8
Molecular Formula: R–(OCH₂CH₂)₆–OH
Molecular Weight: 460–480 g/mol
Dehydol LS 6 is a non-ionic surfactant based on C12–C14 fatty alcohol ethoxylated with approximately 6 moles of ethylene oxide, chemically classified as Alcohols, C12–14, ethoxylated.
Dehydol LS 6 appears as a cloudy to clear liquid depending on temperature and exhibits a balanced hydrophilic–lipophilic character with an HLB value of around 11.5, making it highly effective as a detergent, wetting agent, emulsifier, and dispersing agent.
Dehydol LS 6 is widely used in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, industrial and institutional cleaning products, textile processing, and various industrial formulations due to its excellent cleaning performance, good compatibility with other surfactants, stability over a wide pH range, and reliable performance in different water hardness conditions.
Dehydol LS 6 is a product with a broad range of application.
Dehydol LS 6 is suitable for the manufacture of heavy duty and special laundry detergents.
Dehydol LS 6 is a fatty alcohol ethoxylate that is suitable for the manufacture of heavy-duty laundry detergents, specialty laundry detergents, and hard surface cleaners.
Fatty alcohol ethoxylates are non-ionic surfactants that manufacturers produce by adding ethylene oxide (EO) to linear fatty alcohols.
This Ethoxylate produces fatty alcohol ethoxylates and markets these products under the trade name Dehydol LS, and the company guarantees world-class quality and performance standards for this product line.
Dehydol LS 6 is a non-ionic surfactant based on C12–C14 fatty alcohol ethoxylated with approximately six moles of ethylene oxide, chemically classified as Alcohols, C12–14, ethoxylated, and it is widely used as a versatile surface-active agent in both industrial and consumer formulations.
Owing to its amphiphilic molecular structure, which combines a hydrophobic alkyl chain with a hydrophilic polyoxyethylene segment, Dehydol LS 6 effectively reduces surface tension, enhances wetting, promotes emulsification, and provides strong detergency and dispersing performance.
Dehydol LS 6 typically appears as a cloudy to clear liquid depending on temperature and formulation conditions, with cloudiness being a normal physical characteristic at room temperature that disappears upon mild heating.
With an HLB value of around 11.5, Dehydol LS 6 offers a balanced hydrophilic–lipophilic behavior, making it suitable for use in both oil-in-water emulsions and general cleaning systems.
Dehydol LS 6 is widely applied in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, institutional and industrial cleaning products, textile processing auxiliaries, and various specialty formulations where reliable soil removal, emulsification of oily contaminants, and good material compatibility are required.
Dehydol LS 6's non-ionic character provides excellent tolerance to water hardness, electrolytes, and a wide pH range, ensuring consistent performance in diverse formulation environments.
In addition, Dehydol LS 6 shows good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, which allows formulators to design synergistic multi-surfactant systems with optimized cleaning power, foaming behavior, and stability.
Due to its strong wetting action, controlled foaming tendency, and good solubilization capacity, Dehydol LS 6 is also used as a processing aid in industrial applications such as metal cleaning, paper and pulp processing, and coatings, where uniform spreading and contaminant removal are essential for product quality.
Uses of Dehydol LS 6:
Dehydol LS 6 is primarily used as a high-performance non-ionic surfactant in a wide range of detergent, cleaning, and industrial formulations due to its excellent wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, and detergency properties.
Dehydol LS 6 is extensively applied in laundry detergents for effective removal of oily and particulate soils, as well as in hard-surface cleaners such as floor cleaners, bathroom and kitchen cleaners, and multipurpose household products.
In industrial and institutional cleaning systems, Dehydol LS 6 is used for heavy-duty degreasing and surface preparation due to its strong solubilization of hydrophobic contaminants and stability under varying pH and water hardness conditions.
Dehydol LS 6 is also widely utilized in the textile industry as a wetting agent, scouring agent, and emulsifier in processes such as desizing, bleaching, and dyeing, where uniform fiber wetting and soil removal are critical.
Additionally, Dehydol LS 6 finds application in paper and pulp processing, metal cleaning, and coating formulations as a dispersant and wetting aid to improve surface coverage and process efficiency.
Dehydol LS 6's good compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants further enables its use in complex multi-surfactant systems for both consumer and industrial product formulations.
Surfactants:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a raw material in the manufacture of sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES).
Detergents:
Dehydol LS 6 is used in the production of liquid and powder detergents, household cleaning agents, and industrial cleaning agents.
Cosmetics & Personal Care:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a raw material in shampoos, body gels, and hand cleaners.
Textiles:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a scouring agent and wetting agent in textile processing.
Agriculture:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as an emulsifier in herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizer formulations.
Paper:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a wetting agent and to improve absorbency in paper production.
Rubber:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a stabilizer in rubber processing and rubber formulations.
Leather:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a degreasing agent and tanning auxiliary in leather processing.
Paint:
Dehydol LS 6 is used as a wetting agent and dispersing agent in paint and coating formulations.
Benefits of Dehydol LS 6:
Dehydol LS 6 offers a wide range of performance and formulation benefits that make it a highly valuable non-ionic surfactant in both industrial and consumer products.
Dehydol LS 6's balanced hydrophilic–lipophilic structure ensures excellent wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, and detergency performance, allowing for efficient removal of oily, greasy, and particulate soils from a variety of surfaces.
The non-ionic nature of Dehydol LS 6 provides outstanding compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, enabling flexible formulation design and synergistic performance in multi-surfactant systems.
Dehydol LS 6 shows excellent stability over a wide pH range and in hard water, maintaining consistent cleaning efficiency even in the presence of electrolytes and salts.
Dehydol LS 6 also offers good temperature tolerance, controlled foaming behavior, and strong solubilization capacity, which contribute to stable product performance during processing and use.
Dehydol LS 6's ability to improve surface wetting and spreading enhances cleaning speed, fiber penetration in textiles, and coating uniformity in industrial applications.
Additionally, Dehydol LS 6 demonstrates good storage stability and formulation robustness, resulting in long shelf life and reliable end-product performance.
These combined advantages make Dehydol LS 6 a preferred surfactant for high-efficiency detergents, industrial cleaners, textile auxiliaries, and specialty chemical systems where performance, stability, and formulation flexibility are critical.
Production of Dehydol LS 6:
Dehydol LS 6 is produced by the controlled ethoxylation of C12–C14 fatty alcohols with approximately six moles of ethylene oxide (EO) under carefully regulated industrial conditions.
In this process, selected natural or petrochemical-based fatty alcohols are reacted with ethylene oxide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, typically sodium or potassium hydroxide, at elevated temperatures and pressures.
The ethoxylation reaction proceeds stepwise, adding EO units to the hydroxyl group of the fatty alcohol and forming a non-ionic surfactant with a defined average degree of ethoxylation.
After completion of the reaction, residual ethylene oxide is removed for safety and quality assurance, and the product is neutralized, filtered, and stabilized to ensure consistent performance and storage stability.
The final Dehydol LS 6 product is then adjusted to meet specification limits for parameters such as hydroxyl value, water content, cloud point, viscosity, and HLB value before being transferred to storage tanks and packaged for commercial distribution.
This controlled production process ensures that Dehydol LS 6 exhibits uniform surfactant performance, high purity, and reliable behavior in detergent, textile, cosmetic, agricultural, and industrial formulations.
Stability and Reactivity of Dehydol LS 6:
Chemical Stability:
Dehydol LS 6 is chemically stable under normal ambient temperatures and recommended storage conditions and does not undergo hazardous decomposition during routine handling.
Reactivity:
Dehydol LS 6 is generally low-reactivity under normal industrial conditions.
However, Dehydol LS 6 can react with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and strong alkalis, particularly at elevated temperatures, which may lead to degradation of the ethoxylate chain.
Conditions to Avoid:
Avoid excessive heat, direct sunlight, open flames, prolonged exposure to air at high temperatures, and contact with highly reactive chemicals.
Avoid freezing conditions that may affect product homogeneity.
Incompatible Materials:
Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, concentrated acids, strong bases, and reactive halogenating agents, as these may cause decomposition or hazardous reactions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
No hazardous decomposition products are expected under normal use; at extreme temperatures or during combustion, the product may decompose to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating organic vapors.
Handling and Storage of Dehydol LS 6:
Safe Handling:
Handle Dehydol LS 6 in well-ventilated areas to avoid formation of vapors or mists at elevated temperatures.
Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact.
Use closed or semi-closed transfer systems where possible.
Prevent splashing during handling.
Hygiene Measures:
Wash hands and exposed skin after handling.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking near processing areas.
Remove contaminated clothing before entering clean spaces and launder before reuse.
Storage Requirements:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment.
Protect from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and incompatible materials.
Packaging Integrity:
Keep packaging sealed when not in use.
Avoid physical damage to containers and excessive stacking that may lead to deformation or leakage.
Shelf Stability:
The product maintains stability for extended periods when stored under recommended dry and temperature-controlled conditions.
Prolonged exposure to heat, humidity, or air may gradually reduce product quality but not Dehydol LS 6's chemical identity.
First Aid Measures of Dehydol LS 6:
Inhalation:
Move the exposed person to fresh air immediately and keep at rest.
If coughing, irritation, dizziness, or breathing difficulty occurs, seek medical attention.
Symptoms may include mild respiratory irritation due to vapor or mist exposure.
Skin Contact:
Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
Dehydol LS 6 may cause mild skin irritation or dryness after prolonged contact.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Eye Contact:
Rinse eyes cautiously with clean water for several minutes while holding eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Seek medical attention if discomfort, redness, or blurred vision continues.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting.
If large quantities are swallowed or gastrointestinal discomfort occurs, seek medical evaluation.
Notes for Physician:
Treatment is supportive and based on symptoms.
No specific antidote is available.
Dehydol LS 6 has low acute systemic toxicity.
Firefighting Measures of Dehydol LS 6:
Flammability:
Dehydol LS 6 is combustible at elevated temperatures but does not readily ignite under normal ambient conditions.
Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Use extinguishing media appropriate for surrounding materials, including water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Hazardous Combustion Products:
During combustion, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating organic vapors may be released.
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective firefighting gear to prevent inhalation of combustion products.
Specific Hazards:
Although the product does not burn easily, containers exposed to fire may rupture due to internal pressure.
Avoid direct high-pressure water jets that may spread the fire.
Accidental Release Measures of Dehydol LS 6:
Personal Precautions:
Avoid direct contact with Dehydol LS 6 and ensure adequate ventilation.
Wear appropriate protective equipment to prevent skin and eye exposure.
Prevent formation of slippery surfaces caused by spills.
Environmental Precautions:
Prevent large releases into drains, surface waters, or soil.
Dehydol LS 6 is not highly volatile but may spread rapidly over surfaces due to its surfactant nature.
Cleanup Methods:
Absorb spilled material with inert absorbents such as sand, earth, vermiculite, or commercial absorbent pads.
Collect into suitable containers and clean contaminated surfaces with water and detergent.
Additional Advice:
After cleanup, ensure complete removal of residues to eliminate slip hazards.
Dispose of waste according to local environmental regulations.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protective Equipment of Dehydol LS 6:
Engineering Controls:
Use general and local exhaust ventilation, especially in processes where vapors or mists may form at elevated temperatures.
Maintain workplace concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits.
Respiratory Protection:
Respiratory protection is not normally required under ambient conditions.
Use organic vapor respirators if aerosol or vapor formation occurs.
Hand Protection:
Use chemical-resistant gloves such as nitrile, latex, or PVC to prevent prolonged skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Wear safety glasses or chemical splash goggles to prevent eye exposure.
Skin and Body Protection:
Wear protective work clothing to minimize repeated skin exposure during bulk handling.
Environmental Exposure Controls:
No special environmental protection measures are normally required; however, process containment and proper waste handling should be implemented to minimize environmental release.
Identifiers of Dehydol LS 6:
Product Name: Dehydol LS 6
Chemical Name: Alcohols, C12–14, ethoxylated (6 EO)
CAS Number: 68439-50-9
EC Number: 931-257-8
REACH Registration Number: Available upon request
Molecular Formula: R–(OCH₂CH₂)₆–OH (R = C12–C14 alkyl chain)
Average Molecular Weight: Approximately 460–480 g/mol
Product Type: Non-ionic surfactant, alcohol ethoxylate
Properties of Dehydol LS 6:
Appearance: Cloudy to clear liquid depending on temperature
Color: Colorless to pale yellow
Odor: Mild, characteristic fatty alcohol odor
Odor Threshold: Not available
pH: Approximately 6–8 (in aqueous solution)
Melting / Freezing Point: Below 0 °C
Boiling Point: > 200 °C (decomposes before boiling)
Flash Point: Approximately 190–200 °C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Flammability: Combustible at elevated temperatures
Lower Explosion Limit: Not determined
Upper Explosion Limit: Not determined
Vapor Pressure: Very low at 20 °C
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Relative Density: Approximately 0.97–1.00 g/cm³ at 20–23 °C
Solubility in Water: Dispersible to soluble
Solubility in Organic Solvents: Soluble in many organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): Expected to be moderate
Auto-Ignition Temperature: > 300 °C (estimated)
Decomposition Temperature: > 200 °C
Viscosity: Approximately 150–250 mPa·s at 23 °C
Cloud Point: Approximately 25–40 °C (concentration dependent)
HLB Value: Approximately 11.0–11.5
Surface Activity: Good wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, and detergency
Oxidizing Properties: Not oxidizing