What Is Octanal?
Octanal is a chained organic compound and an aldehyde.
Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)6CHO or C7H15CHO. It has a molar mass of 128.21204 g/mol, a density of 0.821 g/ml, a melting point of -23°C, a boiling point of 171°C, and a CAS registration number of 124-13-0.
To distinguish it from isomers with branched chains, octanal with a linear chain is sometimes referred to as n-octanal (normal-octanal). Other names include octaldehyde, octaldehyde, octaldehyde, octaldehyde, octylaldehyde, caprylic aldehyde, and 1-octanone.
Uses of Octanal
1. Perfume
Octanal is mainly used in the preparation of lemon oil, orange oil, and other fragrances. It is also used as a raw material for jasmine, rose, and other perfume preparations, as well as for paints and varnishes. It can also be found in some alcoholic beverages.
Substances in which the aldehyde group is acetalized also have a distinctive odor and are characterized by the use of derivatives of octanal, as is the case commercially as a flavoring agent.
It can be said that the unique fruit odor of this substance is used for this application.
2. Synthetic Raw Materials
Octanal is an aldehyde with comparatively long alkyl chains and is therefore a synthetic raw material for a variety of natural products. Natural products with the structure of long-chain aldehydes are found in living organisms such as seaweeds.
Octanal, in particular, is an essential precursor for the total synthesis of (-)-dihydrosporotriolide, (+)-tetrahydropyrenoholol, and (+)-avajanomycin. It can also be used in the synthesis of hydrotropes based on erythritol and pentaerythritol.
Properties of Octanal
At normal temperature and pressure, octanal is a colorless to mono-yellow flammable liquid with a fruity odor reminiscent of citrus fruits in small quantities, but in larger quantities, it changes to a foul odor reminiscent of stink bugs. The substance is also present in lemongrass oil.
It is soluble in various organic solvents such as methanol, diethyl ether, and acetone, but very insoluble in water, and is obtained by the action of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on the double bond of 1-heptene (hydroformylation), or by oxidation of the hydroxyl group of 1-octanol.
Other Information on Octanal
1. Hazards
Cautionary Statement: Irritating to the human body, causing eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. It is also highly flammable, with a boiling point of 171°C and a much lower flash point of 51°C.
It is also classified as a Class 4 Hazardous Substance, Petroleum No. 2, as defined by the Fire Service Law, and must be handled with care. Specific designations are as follows.
| Industrial Safety and Health Law | Hazardous and Inflammable Substance (Appended Table 1, No. 4 of the Enforcement Order) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Service Law | Class 4 Inflammable Liquids, Tertiary Petroleum Non-water Soluble Liquids (Law Article 2, Paragraph 7, Hazardous Materials, Appended Table 1) | ||
| Ship Safety Law | Inflammable liquids (Hazard Regulations, Article 3, Hazardous Materials Notification, Appendix 1) | ||
| Civil Aeronautics Law | Inflammable liquid (Hazardous material notification, Appendix 1, Article 194, Enforcement Regulations) | ||
2. Safety Measures
Safety measures should be taken when handling octanal. First, local ventilation and general ventilation as described in “8. Exposure Prevention and Protection Measures” must be taken.
In addition, the product must be kept away from ignition sources such as heat, sparks, naked flames, and hot objects, and smoking must be prohibited. It is also important to keep containers sealed and to ground and earth the containers.
It is also essential to use tools that do not generate sparks and take precautions against static discharge. In addition, rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat should be worn when handling to prevent skin and eye irritation.