The industrial production of 2-ethylhexanol is by a three-step process involving the aldol self-condensation of n-butyraldehyde followed by dehydration and hydrogenation. The n-butyraldehyde was originally obtained from acetaldehyde via ethylene but this has been superseded by the oxo process from propylene.
Today, nearly all 2-EH is produced by catalytic hydroformylation of propylene with synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen). The catalytic process now mostly uses rhodium catalysts rather than the older cobalt hydrocarbonyl catalysts.
Davy Process Technology (formerly Kvaerner) and Dow (Union Carbide) jointly have led the development of newer catalytic technologies and have developed a phosphite ligand modified rhodium catalyst. The two companies have also dominated the licensing of 2-EH process technology.
Shell has developed and operates a one-step process that converts propylene directly to butanol, iso-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol.
2-Ethylhexanol
Price Reports
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2-Ethylhexanol
Uses and Outlook
The main outlet for 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) is the production of phthalate plasticisers such as di-octyl phthalate (DOP). DOP is produced by combining oxo alcohols with phthalic anhydride. Plasticisers are used in the manufacture of PVC, so markets are linked to PVC, although DOP has also been losing market share to other plasticisers.
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