Octyldodecanol

• BPOctyldodecanol
• Ph. Eur.Octyldodecanol
• USP–NFOctyldodecanol

2-Octyldodecan-1-ol; 2-octyl-1-dodecanol; octyldodecanolum; Guerbet C20 alcohol; Eutanol G

2-Octyldodecan-1-ol · [5333-42-6]

UNII 461N1O614Y · PubChem CID 21414

C20H42O · 298.55

Semi-solid base, emollient

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Semi-solid

Used in topical creams, lotions, ointments and transdermal systems as an emollient, oily solvent and oil-phase component, and as a skin penetration enhancer. It is also widely used in cosmetics, including lipsticks.

A clear, colourless or yellowish, oily liquid with a faint odour. It is a branched-chain (Guerbet) fatty alcohol and remains liquid at low temperatures.

Physical state

liquid at room temperature; remains fluid well below 0 °C

Density

≈ 0.84 g/cm³ at 20 °C

Solubility

practically insoluble in water; miscible with ethanol (96%) and with fats and oils

Composition

not less than about 90% 2-octyldodecanol, the remainder related alcohols

Being saturated, it is very resistant to oxidation and hydrolysis. Store in a well-closed container, protected from light.

Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Made by the Guerbet reaction, a base-catalysed dimerisation of decyl alcohol (decan-1-ol) at high temperature, followed by purification.

Regarded as having low toxicity and low irritancy in topical use; skin sensitisation is rare.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended; spills are slippery and should be cleaned up promptly.

Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (topical and transdermal preparations) and in non-parenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

Oleyl alcohol; cetostearyl alcohol; isopropyl myristate; octyldodecyl myristate.

Unlike unsaturated liquid fatty alcohols such as oleyl alcohol, it does not become rancid, which makes it useful where long-term oxidative stability of the oil phase is needed.