Decyl alcohol is a medium chain fatty alcohol with a chemical formula C₁₀H₂₂O. The compound is made of 10 carbon atoms chain connected to a single hydroxy group. In addition, the compound is a colorless liquid in room temperature with a sweet fatty scent. It is insoluble in inorganic solution and has a higher density than water.

Manufacturing Process

Decyl alcohol is produced by high pressure catalytic hydrogenation of decanoic acid. Decanoic acid is sourced from palm kernel oil with abundant chains of long chain fatty acids and esters. The hydrogenation reaction involves catalytic material such as aluminum lithium hydride. The product of the reaction is compounds of fatty alcohol; therefore, the product is required to be purified by fractional distillation to purify decyl alcohol.