Octan-12-dio

application

Diols contribute to high water solubility, hygroscopicity and reactivity with many organic compounds, on usually linear and aliphatic carbon chain. 1,2-Octanediol, linear diol containing two primary hydroxyl groups, has bacteriostatic and bacteriacidal properties which are useful in cosmetics as a preservative. It is also used in coating materials, slurries, paper mills and water circulation systems for the effective preservation against bacteria and fungi. It is used as an emollient, humectant, and wetting agent in cosmetic and skin care products. Alcohols are very weak acids as they lose H+ in the hydroxyl group. Alcohols undergoes dehydration reaction which means the elimination of water molecule replaced by a pi bond between two adjacent carbon atoms to form alkenes under heating in the presence of strong acids like hydrocloric acid or phosphoric acid. Primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes and ketones respectively. Carboxylic acids are obtained from oxidation of aldehydes. Oxidation in organic chemistry can be considered to be the loss of hydrogen or gain of oxygen and reduction to gain hydrogen or loss of oxygen. Tertiary alcohols do not react to give oxidation products as they have no H attached to the alcohol carbon. Alcohols undergoes important reactions called nucleophilic substitution in which an electron donor replaces a leaving group, generally conjugate bases of strong acids, as a covalent substitute of some atom. One of important reaction of alcohol is condensation. Ethers are formed by the condensation of two alcohols by heating with sulfuric acid; the reaction is one of dehydration. Almost infinite esters are formed through condensation reaction called esterification between carboxylic acid and alcohol, which produces water. Alcohols are important solvents and chemical raw materials. Alcohols are intermediates for the production of target compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, plasticizers, surfactants, lubricants, ore floatation agents, pesticides, hydraulic fluids, and detergents.

General Description

1,2-Octanediol is a potential pediculicide and is useful for treating head louse infestation clinically.

Purification Methods

Distil the diol in vacuo and/or recrystallise it from pet ether. The -naphthylurethane has m 112-114o. [Beilstein 1 III 2217, 1 IV 2590.] S-(-)-Octane-1,2-diol [87720-91-0] also crystallises from pet ether with m 35-37o and [] D -4.7o (c 35, EtOH) [Sp.th et al. Chem Ber 66 598 1933]; R-(+)-octane-1,2-diol [87720-90-9] has similar properties but with a positive optical rotation.