LAURYL ALCOHOL- ▸ Surfactant intermediate: Sulfated and ethoxylated to make anionic and nonionic surfactants.
- ▸ Detergents: Building block for synthetic detergent and wetting-agent chemistry.
- ▸ Foam stabilizer: Stabilizes foam in alcohol-sulfate surfactant blends.
- ▸ Personal care: Emollient, emulsifier, and viscosity modifier.
- ▸ Fragrance: Perfume and flavoring ingredient.
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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Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.
Lauryl alcohol (1-dodecanol, CAS 112-53-8) is a C12 primary fatty alcohol. It serves chiefly as a chemical intermediate for sulfate and ethoxylate surfactants and as a foam stabilizer for alcohol-sulfate surfactant systems. It also functions as an emollient, emulsifier, and viscosity modifier in personal care and as a fragrance and flavoring ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the common name for lauryl alcohol?
Lauryl alcohol is also called 1-dodecanol or dodecyl alcohol (CAS 112-53-8). It is a C12 primary fatty alcohol used chiefly as a chemical intermediate for surfactants.
How do they make lauryl alcohol?
Lauryl alcohol is produced by reducing C12 fatty acids or methyl esters derived from coconut or palm-kernel oils, or synthetically via the oxo or Ziegler process. The result is a C12 primary alcohol (1-dodecanol).
What is lauryl alcohol used for?
Its primary use is as an intermediate that is sulfated or ethoxylated to make anionic and nonionic surfactants. It also acts as a foam stabilizer in alcohol-sulfate blends and as an emollient, emulsifier, viscosity modifier, and fragrance ingredient.
Is lauryl alcohol an alcohol?
Yes. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, a C12 primary alcohol with the formula C12H26O bearing a terminal hydroxyl group, which is the reactive site used to make sulfate and ethoxylate surfactants.
How is bulk lauryl alcohol shipped and priced?
Lauryl alcohol classifies under HS 2905.17 and ships under UN 3077. RawSource supplies it in drums, totes, and IBCs with a CoA and SDS; submit an RFQ with your volume and grade for a current bulk quote.