2-ETHYLHEXANOL(CH₃(CH₂)₃CH(C₂H₅)CH₂OH)

2-Ethylhexanol is a colorless liquid soluble in many organic solvents. It is one of the chemicals used for producing PVC plasticizers (by react- ing with phthalic acid; the product is di-2 ethylhexyl phthalate). The 1998 U.S. production of 2-ethylhexanol reached 800 million pounds. 2-Ethylhexanol is produced by the aldol condensation of butyraldehyde.

The reaction occurs in presence of aqueous caustic soda and produces 2-ethyl-3-hydroxyhexanal. The aldehyde is then dehydrated and hydrogenated to 2-ethylhexanol:

Figure 1.1 shows the Hoechst process.

Figure 1.1. The Hoechst AG process for producing 2 ethylhexanol from nbutyraldehyde: (1) Aldol condensation reactor, (2) separation (organic phase from liquid phase), (3) hydrogenation reactor, (4) distillation column.