Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

C16-20 Branched Alcohols (Guerbet Alcohol)

CAS 70693-04-8

Branched-chain fatty alcohols supplying light, spreadable emollient and lubricant character with low pour points. Branched fatty alcohols of this class are used as emollients and spreading agents in personal care and as lubricant base fluids and intermediates, valued for low pour points and oxidative stability versus linear analogues.

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HS Code
3823.70
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Emolliency · Solvency
Functional Roles
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Emollient: Light, spreadable emollient/spreading agent in personal care.
  • Lubricant base: Branched base fluid for lubricants and metalworking.
  • Intermediate: Feedstock for esters and surfactant derivatives.
Physical Properties
Appearance
Clear, colorless to pale, oily liquid (typical)
Density
0.837 - 0.841 g/mL @ 20 C (typical, C20 grade)
Viscosity
~60 mPa.s @ 20 C (typical, C20 grade)
Flash Point
~180 C (typical)
Melting Range
-1 to 1 C (typical, C20 grade)
Boiling Point
~324 C (typical, C20 grade)
Refractive Index
1.455 (nD20, typical)
Hydroxyl Value
184 - 190 mg KOH/g (typical, C20 grade)
Water Content
0.1 wt% max (typical)
Color
10 APHA max (typical)
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
3823 . 70
Chapter 38
Miscellaneous chemical products
Heading 38.23
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 3823.70
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
70693-04-8
Synonyms & Trade Names
Alcohols, C16-20-branched C16-C20 Branched Primary Alcohol 2-Alkyl-1-alkanol (Guerbet) Branched Guerbet Alcohol C16-20 Comparable to ISOFOL 18T / ISOFOL 20
Full Description

C16-20 branched alcohols (CAS 70693-04-8) are branched-chain (Guerbet-type) fatty alcohols. Branched fatty alcohols of this class are used as emollients and spreading agents in personal care and as lubricant base fluids and intermediates, valued for low pour points and oxidative stability versus linear analogues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are branched alcohols?

Branched alcohols are fatty alcohols with branched (non-linear) carbon chains, often Guerbet-type. The C16-20 branched alcohols here (CAS 70693-04-8) offer low pour points and oxidative stability versus their linear analogues, which is why they are favored as emollients, spreading agents, and lubricant base fluids.

What does C16-20 in C16-20 branched alcohol mean?

C16-20 denotes the carbon-chain-length distribution of the fatty-alcohol mixture — chains of 16 to 20 carbons. "Branched" indicates the chains are branched rather than straight, giving the spreadability and stability profile used in personal care and lubricants.

What is C16-20 branched alcohol used for?

It is used as a light, spreadable emollient and spreading agent in personal care, as a branched base fluid for lubricants and metalworking fluids, and as a feedstock intermediate for esters and surfactant derivatives.

What is the CAS number for C16-20 branched alcohols?

C16-20 branched alcohols carry CAS 70693-04-8. Chain distribution and specification vary by grade and are confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis per shipment.

What is the cost of bulk C16-20 branched alcohol?

Bulk pricing depends on grade and order volume. We supply manufacturers in drums, totes, and IBCs (HS 3823.70, industrial fatty alcohols) — request a bulk quote with your target tonnage for current pricing, SDS, and CoA.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.