Isotridecyl alcohol

Isotridecyl alcohol (CAS 68526-86-3) is a branched-chain fatty alcohol derived from oxo synthesis, commercially supplied as a C11–C14 iso-alcohol blend with a C13-dominant composition.

It functions primarily as a chemical intermediate for producing ethoxylated nonionic surfactants and plasticizer esters used across industrial formulation and chemical processing sectors.

In home care and industrial cleaning, it serves as the base alcohol for ethoxylation, yielding low-foaming surfactants with strong wetting and soil-release performance in hard-surface cleaners.

Lubricant and metalworking fluid manufacturers use it as a coupling agent and carrier to improve additive solubility and emulsion stability in cutting fluids and specialized industrial oils.

In plastics, it is esterified to produce plasticizers that modify flexibility in PVC compounds and polymer films. Textile processing operations use derived surfactants as wetting and scouring agents.

Isotridecyl alcohol is supplied as a clear to slightly hazy liquid at ambient temperature. Standard commercial grades are available at technical purity, typically 99% plus concentration levels.

Hydroxyl value specifications are used to confirm composition consistency. It is commonly packaged in drums and IBC containers, with bulk tanker supply available for larger industrial volumes.