Properties and uses of some unsaturated fatty alcohols and their derivatives

A number of unsaturated fatty alcohols are known, but only those of the C₁₆ and C₁₈ chain lengths are of much importance. In particular, oleyl alcohol., 9,10-octadecenol-1, is by far the most important. A variety of grades of oleyl alcohols is produced and used in the USA ranging from high purity material having iodine values (IV) of 90–95 to those having IV of 45–55, with the other components being primarily cetyl (hexadecanol-1) and stearyl (octadecanol-1) alcohols. This paper takes a brief look at the various grades of unsaturated alcohols used in the USA, methods of preparation, and the change in physical and chemical properties as the octadecanol-1 content and IV decline. Uses of these alcohols industrially and in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations are also discussed. Unsaturated alcohols are useful chemical intermediates since they have two reactive sites, the hydroxyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond. Particular attention is paid to the properties, uses and potential uses of some of their sulfates, ether sulfates, ethylene oxide adducts and ethylene/propylene oxide adducts as detergents and emulsifiers for ultimate use in cosmetics and light-duty and heavy-duty systems. Current estimated consumption of unsaturated alcohols in the USA is discussed.