2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) is a colourless liquid, with characteristic odour and is miscible with ethyl alcohol, ether and most organic solvents, and slightly soluble in water. It reacts violently with strong oxidants.
The main outlet for 2-EH is to produce phthalate plasticisers such as di-octyl phthalate (DOP). DOP is produced by combining oxo alcohols with phthalic anhydride (PA). Plasticisers are used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so markets are linked to PVC.
The next largest outlet for 2-EH is for the production of the acrylate esters which are used in adhesives and surface-coating materials such as acrylic paints, in printing inks and as impregnating agents.