Long-chain diols have been on the radar for chemists since the early days of synthetic organic chemistry, but the shift toward specialty polyols like 1,16-hexadecanediol gained real purpose in the late 20th century. Companies ignited projects to increase the stability and flexibility of polymers, and research points toward this diol as one of the backbone builders for temperature-resistant materials. In the 1980s, workbooks and patents started naming 1,16-hexadecanediol as a component in coatings and lubricants, giving it a steady place in industrial catalogs. The story tracks back to a broader quest for tailor-made building blocks in advanced manufacturing. The growing needs for higher-performing plastics and fine chemicals prompted scientists to fine-tune its synthesis, and this spirit of innovation still guides its progress.
1,16-Hexadecanediol stands out as a linear aliphatic diol with a 16-carbon backbone. It slots into many industries because of its dual primary alcohol groups at each end of the molecule. Producers appreciate its solid form at room temperature, manageable solubility, and compatibility with a wide range of reactants. From the laboratory angle, it emerges as a white solid, usually packed for easy handling, ready for direct incorporation into polymer blends, surfactant formulations, and as a toughening agent in UV-curable materials. The straightforward naming also gives chemists a clear handle for exploring new chemical modifications, which makes it a staple in R&D labs worldwide.
This diol is defined by a melting point around 66-69 °C and a boiling point well over 200 °C at reduced pressure, giving it the resilience to handle higher-processing conditions. The structure, with two terminal hydroxyl groups bonded to a straight hydrocarbon chain, gives solid hydrophobic character interrupted by reactive sites primed for further transformations. 1,16-Hexadecanediol dissolves in hot alcohols and polar solvents but resists breakdown in water, which keeps its utility intact in formulations where water sensitivity would be a problem. Physical samples show typical waxy or crystalline textures, easy to manage in bulk or lab-scale syntheses.
Manufacturers supply this compound with high-purity guarantees, typically over 98%. Certificates of analysis regularly cover moisture content, residual solvents, and trace metal counts, since these details matter for final application approval in electronic and pharmaceutical uses. Labeling conventions call for the chemical abstract service (CAS) number 505-54-4, along with the molecular formula C16H34O2 and proper hazard pictograms, supporting compliance with international transport and workplace safety rules. Regulatory documentation follows REACH, TSCA, and other frameworks, giving downstream users reassurance on sourcing and management.
Industrial synthesis leans heavily on the reduction of methyl or ethyl esters of long-chain fatty acids, typically palmitic acid-derived esters, using reagents like lithium aluminum hydride or catalytic hydrogenation under carefully monitored conditions. The route often starts with renewable feedstocks to meet sustainability goals, and multi-step purification, including recrystallization and distillation, strips out by-products. Bench syntheses echo these methods, providing students hands-on experience with reduction chemistry. Emerging green chemistry initiatives focus on solvent recycling and alternative reductants aiming to trim the environmental impact, showing that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with process efficiency.
Chemists recognize 1,16-hexadecanediol as a versatile intermediate for esterification, etherification, and polycondensation reactions. Its terminal hydroxyl groups react with acids, acid chlorides, isocyanates, and epoxides, giving rise to a host of esters, polyurethanes, polyesters, and surfactants. Derivatives built on this backbone find uses as antistatic agents, lubricants, and emulsifiers. The straightforward structure gives medicinal chemists a starting point for exploring prodrug strategies or membrane-active agents. Catalysts and process conditions shape the final product spectrum, but the core remains a robust C16 chain carrying chemical handles on both ends.
Across markets, 1,16-hexadecanediol appears under aliases like hexadecane-1,16-diol, 1,16-dihydroxyhexadecane, and C16 diol. Trade literature might refer to it in shorthand as HD-16 Diol or C16 glycol. Each synonym anchors the product in industrial databases, patents, and procurement systems, streamlining inventory management and ensuring traceability for end users. Knowing these alternative identifiers becomes essential in international supply chains and technical negotiations, as mislabeling can slow project timelines or trigger costly regulatory reviews.
Handling guidelines emphasize personal protective equipment, local ventilation, and spill management similar to other long-chain alcohols. Material safety data sheets point to mild skin and eye irritation risk, but not to acute hazards at normal use levels. Regular industrial practice calls for spill containment, compatible storage materials, and proper segregation from strong oxidizers or acids. Disposal methods encourage chemical recycling or controlled incineration, especially in regions with strict environmental enforcement. Facility audits routinely include this compound, ensuring safe operation and full regulatory compliance throughout the supply chain.
Plastics manufacturers prize 1,16-hexadecanediol for its ability to impart flexibility and toughness to polyesters and polyurethanes, extending the life and expanding the resistance profile of finished goods. Cosmetics formulators use it as a thickener or emollient, based on its smooth skin feel and good compatibility with waxes and oils. Lubricant developers add it to greases and coatings for high-temperature and high-load machine components. Its hydrophobic chain and reactive ends make it a prime candidate for modifying surface-active agents, providing detergents and cleaners for households and industry. The energy sector tests it in phase-change materials for thermal storage, aiming to smooth out energy supply cycles in sustainable buildings. Its footprint keeps growing as more industries tune performance specs for next-generation products.
Academic groups focus on optimizing synthesis under greener conditions, seeking to reduce reliance on heavy-metal reagents and improve atom economy. Studies dig into novel catalytic systems and biocatalysts, aiming for higher selectivity and lower waste. New functional materials arise from polycondensation reactions using 1,16-hexadecanediol as a repeating unit, with targeted properties for food packaging or biomedical devices. Chemistry journals document fresh cross-linking methods, promising customized molecular architectures. Research efforts span from molecular biology—screening for enzymatic oxidation or reduction routes—to materials science—testing durability and environmental performance of polymer blends containing this diol. It holds appeal as a testbed for sustainable chemistry practices and as a core component in tailored polymers.
Published toxicology data shows low acute oral and dermal toxicity in rodent models. Eye and skin irritation tests point to only mild or reversible reactions at practical exposure levels. Biodegradability tests offer moderate to good outcomes, helping to allay environmental persistence concerns. Long-term exposure studies remain limited, especially regarding inhalation or reproductive effects. As regulations tighten, the compound finds itself under closer scrutiny, with newer protocols for environmental fate and aquatic impact being adopted. Any health risk tends to trace back to improper handling or accidental misuse, emphasizing the need for clear safety training in workplaces dealing with this diol. Companies and regulators update guidance frequently, reflecting the evolving nature of chemical safety science.
With industries pushing for sustainable chemistry and improved performance materials, 1,16-hexadecanediol stands to see broader application. Polymer researchers hunt for bio-based sources and look at enzymatic or fermentation-based preparations, hoping to move away from petroleum-derived feedstocks entirely. Electrification, especially in automotive and construction, calls for base chemicals that support new insulation materials and energy storage systems, and this diol fits that need. Cosmetic science pushes for multifunctional additives, where 1,16-hexadecanediol’s molecular structure gives brands a route to cleaner labels. Next-generation recycling technologies seek building blocks that perform well across multiple lifecycles, and the straightforward, robust profile of this diol draws interest there. Companies are likely to increase investment in process improvements and regulatory studies, anticipating tough questions from both customers and environmental groups. The balance between performance, cost, and sustainability defines the next chapter for this compound—driven by both regulatory changes and consumer demand.
1,16-Hexadecanediol tends to fly under most people’s radar, but this long-chain diol shows up in places you probably wouldn’t expect. Companies blend it into creams, lotions, deodorants, laundry detergents, and even some plastics and coatings. The magic lies in its structure: a straight, fatty chain with two alcohol (hydroxyl) ends. Those ends give it all kinds of interesting properties for product makers. I’ve spent years in chemistry labs, and it’s clear why the industry leans on this kind of molecule.
In personal care, this compound helps soften skin and smooth texture. It holds moisture—important for creams aiming to keep hands from feeling dry after washing. After testing dozens of moisturizers, I’ve learned that the choice of emollients can make or break comfort. 1,16-Hexadecanediol is not greasy like some heavy oils, yet it manages to stick around long enough to do some good. That balance matters, especially for brands facing tough customer feedback.
More than just comfort, makers use this diol as a stabilizer. It can stop certain ingredients from separating or spoiling too soon. This helps keep shelf life in check, which reduces wasted product. In an age where consumers expect their items to last, stability means less frustration and fewer angry calls to customer service departments.
It also finds its way into industrial settings. Paint and coating specialists use it to get smooth finishes with less cracking or yellowing over time. Sometimes, a small change in a formula will save years of repairs or failures later. That’s something I’ve seen firsthand in building renovations; the right chemical mix keeps surfaces looking better, longer.
Trust plays a big role here. Over the years, people have rightfully become more cautious about what goes on or near their skin. 1,16-Hexadecanediol, made from plant oils or synthetic sources, has a low toxicity rating and usually gets along well with other ingredients. Safety checks and regulatory data support its use, but ongoing research keeps the industry honest. Consumers want facts, not just comfort.
Cleaning up the manufacturing side is another piece of the puzzle. Synthetic chemicals sometimes raise sustainability flags, especially as global attention turns toward greener production and biodegradable materials. Industry chemists continue to hunt for improved sourcing and efficient synthesis. My experience in a sustainability task force showed me that small changes — such as sourcing fatty alcohols from waste vegetable oils — add up to real progress.
There’s room for growth. Companies can lean deeper into clean sourcing and greener processes, not just for marketing, but because it’s the right thing to do. Open communication—clear labeling and honest safety data—lets customers make smart choices. Public understanding of obscure chemicals remains low, but education brings trust. Respect for the science builds respect for the products themselves. In my years of watching chemical trends, one thing stands out: the best solutions work for both industry and the communities they serve.
Chemical formulas shape the way we talk about molecules. For a compound like 1,16-Hexadecanediol, the formula packs in quite a bit. The name tells us two key things: the backbone and the functional groups. The backbone, hexadecane, points to a straight chain of sixteen carbons. The suffix “diol” signals two alcohol (-OH) groups, sitting at each end in the 1-position and the 16-position.
Roll the structure out: you start with sixteen carbons in a chain. Single hydrogens fill up each carbon’s valency except for the ends, which swap a hydrogen for an OH. So, distilling this down, 1,16-Hexadecanediol comes away with the formula C16H34O2.
We interact with compounds like 1,16-Hexadecanediol more often than many realize. Polyurethane makers often reach for diols with long carbon chains, like this one, when creating flexible foams and specialty elastomers. Chain length and functionality tweak how final products behave. Get a carbon wrong in the chain, or move an OH, the plastic’s flexibility or durability might shift.
I’ve worked in labs where a small mistake in the chemical structure causes days of troubleshooting. A misplaced OH or an overlooked carbon means an experiment just doesn’t work as planned. That’s not just a headache — it can mean lost money where scale is involved. Knowing the correct formula isn’t a small detail. It’s foundational to the safe, reliable creation of hundreds of end products, from cable insulation to shock-absorbing foams.
C16H34O2 might look simple. But each hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon plays a functional role. The long hydrocarbon tail gives hydrophobic properties — so this diol won’t dissolve in water but blends well with oil-based systems. Dropping in the OH groups creates handles for other molecules to grab during chemical reactions, opening doors to building long polymer chains.
Makers working with substances like 1,16-Hexadecanediol run into a challenge: not all commercial sources provide pure material. Impurities or byproducts can slip through and gum up works. This happens because, in practice, not every batch stays perfect — contaminants sometimes carry over from earlier steps. Some companies tighten quality checks, using advanced chromatography or repeated distillation, before products head out the door. Downstream users check the certificate of analysis before they commit to a batch, knowing a small discrepancy might throw off whole production runs.
Better standards in raw material supply go a long way. Companies might rely more on independent labs to verify batch purity. Investing in employee training around chemical structure and function pays off. I’ve seen organizations where basic chemistry gets glossed over for speed — those places pay for it in product recalls or customer complaints.
Transparency about sourcing, too, changes outcomes. Chemical supply chains benefit from open disclosure about where — and how — a diol like this is made. Regulatory agencies can’t catch every mislabeling, but informed buyers notice when something’s off.
No one expects the average person to memorize C16H34O2. Inside labs, in manufacturing lines, and among safety managers, the details matter. The right formula means safer workplaces, consistent products, and less environmental waste. That level of precision saves time and money, and it's the kind of care that ripples far outside chemistry.
1,16-Hexadecanediol doesn’t turn up much in casual conversation. It's a white waxy solid, sometimes going by names like hexadecane-1,16-diol. This chemical serves as a building block for surfactants, lubricants, and specialty polymers. Some niche skincare brands add it to products, counting on its emollient properties. Both workers in factories and researchers in labs may encounter it in pure form.
I’ve spent time in research labs and on busy chemical plant floors, and I’ve noticed that people grow lax with compounds that appear "benign." 1,16-Hexadecanediol has a mild outward appearance, lacking any sharp smell or alarming look. That can lull users into sloppy handling. Still, skin and eye irritation can occur during contact. Accidentally breathing in its dust may irritate respiratory passages. The most up-to-date European Chemicals Agency profile lists it as causing slight irritation but not marked as acutely toxic, flammable, or carcinogenic at regular exposure levels.
Personal experience tells me even mild irritants, over time, can lead to dermatitis. A story from a friend in a plastics company comes to mind. Their team didn’t wear gloves, assuming their daily chemicals posed little danger. After a few weeks, several needed steroid cream for rashes. Even so-called “safe” chemicals—even soap ingredients—can break down protective skin layers and open the door for other problems. Safety doesn't hinge only on what’s in the safety data sheet, but also on habits shaped by training, workplace oversight, and peer pressure.
Poor ventilation in warm processing rooms lets fine particles hang in the air. That means more opportunities for inhalation—something people often overlook because fine powders feel so harmless compared with solvents or acids. Gloves and eye protection aren’t just for dramatic accidents. I once saw a pipetting mishap that splashed a supposedly mild diol into a grad student's eye, and the smart safety protocol saved a lot of heartache. Shower, eyewash, and glove stations help keep small slip-ups from becoming health issues.
Manufacturing facilities rely on routine chemical risk assessments. Clear, visible safety labels play a surprisingly big role. Workers new to a site glance at those labels daily, learning which bottles or barrels demand more respect. Even infrequent visitors—cleaning crews, auditors—pick up clues from this signage. Routine skin checks and health records catch dermal effects early, long before a rash develops into a chronic condition.
Getting safety right with chemicals like 1,16-Hexadecanediol means more than reading a data sheet. I’ve watched safety champions in plants coach younger operators, reinforcing the rituals that protect against slips. They treat every substance in the process line as potentially hazardous, swapping gloves between steps, unwrapping eye protection for even quick transfers, and running local exhaust fans during weigh-outs. No one regrets an extra layer of caution, but lots of people regret taking shortcuts.
Companies that open up safety reporting channels—anonymous or otherwise—see near-misses reported more often. This creates a learning loop. Sharing close calls in morning huddles brings everyone onboard with practical risks tied to each shift’s ingredients, including overlooked waxy solids like 1,16-Hexadecanediol.
Most published toxicological profiles place 1,16-Hexadecanediol among the safer organic diols. Still, the real story unfolds on the factory floor or at the bench: layered protections, constant vigilance, and a respect for chemicals despite their calm appearance do the heavy lifting for health. Safety is a shared effort, not the property of the material itself.
Not every chemical earns a spot on lab shelves without raising eyebrows. 1,16-Hexadecanediol looks harmless, a waxy powder almost like it belongs in a candle-making kit. The truth feels less cozy. Like other long-chain diols, this substance wants respect. Mishandling opens the door to everything from contamination to workplace accidents. My years in research labs taught me early on: Comfortable shortcuts bring trouble. The shelf-life of a chemical rarely runs out because time passes. It expires when it meets heat, light, air, or just sloppy habits.
Ask anyone who’s watched a freezer fail in the middle of a heatwave—temperature can’t get overlooked. 1,16-Hexadecanediol holds up best below 25°C, away from sunbeams or heat sources. I’ve seen more product degrade in warehouses that “almost” maintained room temperature than in busy labs. Once, an entire order clumped up like old sugar after sitting near a heat vent. That shipment cost more to replace than anyone wanted to admit. If you have the choice, pick airtight containers and a cool, dry space. Never store it next to strong oxidizers or acids; even a gap on the shelf helps avoid cross-contamination and dangerous reactions. That gap isn’t wasted space—it’s peace of mind.
Human noses miss the warning signs sometimes. 1,16-Hexadecanediol absorbs moisture from the air, which sounds minor until a plastic lid warps or moisture creeps under a rusty cap. Water doesn’t just lump the powder; it changes what ends up in your process. Once moisture takes root, purity goes south in a hurry. Labs and storage spaces without humidity control leave you gambling with the quality of your stock every day. My advice: invest in desiccants or silica gel packets for every batch. Don’t wait until flakes turn sticky before scrambling to order replacements.
Cheaping out on containers never made anyone look smart. Over time, fragile packaging fails, even if it looked fine after the initial delivery. Rigid, sealable jars or high-density polyethylene bottles block out moisture and sunlight—two of the biggest threats outside outright spilling. Once, I watched a colleague pour half a kilo of ruined diol down the drain because someone left it in an old screw-cap jar from a thrift store. If you’re handling anything more than a few grams, label containers with date, lot number, and expiration. Rotating stock is not just a food industry trick.
Nitrile gloves and goggles aren’t suggestions. Trace residue on doorknobs or laptops spreads risk fast, especially in shared workspaces. Small practices—washing hands after each use, cleaning up spills, logging each transfer—pay back tenfold. One minor chemical burn or failed synthesis can cost days. I’ve seen teams hit production targets because they built safety into their habits and layouts, not added it later in response to accidents.
Relying on memory works right up until it doesn’t. Written instructions, regularly reviewed and updated, keep new staff from making last year’s mistakes. Training junior chemists to track expiry dates, spot warning signs of decomposition, and recognize label discrepancies isn’t an academic exercise. Those old notes and checklists save resources and keep regulators off your back. If an auditor walks through and finds mislabeled—let alone poorly stored—containers, trust evaporates overnight. Documentation gives proof, not just promises.
Every company, whether manufacturing plastics, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics, boosts product quality and worker safety when it treats chemicals like 1,16-Hexadecanediol with the honest caution learned from hard-won experience. It’s not just about following guidelines; it’s about keeping the next batch, and everyone in the building, safe.
There’s a specific moment in every lab where curiosity gets the better of you. I remember opening a jar of 1,16-Hexadecanediol for the first time. Granular, white, a bit waxy to the touch—easy to mistake for some hardened paraffin or solidified coconut oil. This compound joins the family of long-chain diols, giving it certain recognizable traits. At room temperature, 1,16-Hexadecanediol doesn’t evaporate or dissolve quickly. You can melt it down with some heat, right around 143 to 146°C. It softens first, then goes liquid, making it a handy material where stable melting points matter.
Put it in water and you don’t see much happen. The substance resists mixing with water, mainly because its long hydrocarbon tail discourages interaction with polar solvents. But drop it in something like ethanol or acetone, and it starts to break down. Working with it in synthesis or product development, this property stands out. Most folks in cosmetics and polymers want a chemical that stays solid until you deliberately want it in a liquid state. That’s what 1,16-Hexadecanediol gives you.
Left on a shelf, 1,16-Hexadecanediol won’t budge. It holds up at standard room temperatures, without visible degradation or color changes. One of its strengths? That long hydrocarbon chain blocks out enough moisture and air so you’re not constantly worrying about breakdown or oxidization. This isn’t true for every chemical. For folks working in raw material storage, this trait means less headache and reduced loss. You keep a supply on hand for a long project, and you don’t have to ration in fear of it spoiling.
In hand, it feels waxy, maybe just a touch greasy to the skin. No strong chemical smell rolls off it, which stands out compared to volatile, low-chain alcohols. Its density sits around 0.87 g/cm³, a figure that gives you a clue—this won’t sink like rock if tossed into a solvent bath. This lighter density helps engineers mix or disperse it in formulations where weight could be a concern.
Polymer chemists often seek molecules that melt at reliable, medium-high temperatures for plasticizers or stabilize certain blends. I’ve seen 1,16-Hexadecanediol used as an intermediate, creating those flexible, tough plastics found in sports equipment or auto interiors. Its low water solubility stops it leaking out of these products even after years of use. In skincare, formulators get excited about that melting point—it lets them develop sticks or balms that hold solid on the shelf but smooth onto the skin with human body heat.
Basic facts, such as the melting point or insolubility in water, come from reputable chemical safety databases, including PubChem and Sigma-Aldrich. Third-party testing confirms batches stay true to these numbers, so industry trusts the compound in high-value uses. Labs could keep pushing further: drying techniques, enhanced blending with other alcohols, or adjusting purity levels to tweak melting range. As more companies look for materials with both stability and skin safety, 1,16-Hexadecanediol stands ready, grounded in proven physical traits.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | hexadecane-1,16-diol |
| Other names |
1,16-Hexadecanediol
Hexadecane-1,16-diol Hexadecanediol 1,16-Dihydroxyhexadecane |
| Pronunciation | /ˌwʌn.sɪksˌhɛk.səˌdiː.kəˈniː.dɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 3026-88-6 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1469613 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:130869 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL60716 |
| ChemSpider | 15114 |
| DrugBank | DB02356 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 028006021396 |
| EC Number | 204-012-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 79457 |
| KEGG | C08297 |
| MeSH | D006518 |
| PubChem CID | 82178 |
| RTECS number | MI8575000 |
| UNII | I277E70B8K |
| UN number | UN3077 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID101924451 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C16H34O2 |
| Molar mass | 258.46 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.89 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble in water |
| log P | 3.61 |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.75 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.7e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4560 |
| Viscosity | 44.8 mPa·s (at 75 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.53 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 576.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -523.2 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -9556.2 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS labelling for 1,16-Hexadecanediol: `"Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)"` |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | No hazard statements. |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: P261, P264, P271, P272, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P312, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362+P364 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1,16-0-0-W |
| Flash point | > 215 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 320 °C |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose) of 1,16-Hexadecanediol: "LD50 Oral Rat > 5000 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | NJ4025000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for 1,16-Hexadecanediol: Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 1 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
1,12-Dodecanediol
1,14-Tetradecanediol 1,18-Octadecanediol Hexadecanol Ethylene glycol 1,6-Hexanediol |
