On April 28, 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued a wide-circulation draft for the second revision of the specifications for 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, an important industrial chemical widely used in plasticizers, coatings, and lubricants.
The draft, designated PCD 9 (34184) WC, proposes updated quality and performance standards for 2-ethylhexan-1-ol. It has been prepared by the Organic Chemicals, Alcohols and Allied Products Sectional Committee and reflects evolving industry requirements.
Stakeholders have been invited to review the draft and submit their comments by June 27, 2026.
Background
2-Ethylhexan-1-ol [CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(C₂H₅)CH₂OH], CAS 104-76-7, is widely used as a raw material for plasticizers, particularly in producing di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DOP) for PVC. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in wetting agents, lacquer solvents, and 2-ethylhexyl acetate, and is used as a defoaming agent and viscosity modifier in urea-formaldehyde coatings.
Key Changes in the Revision
viscometer for relative density).
The material is divided into two grades,
a) Plasticizer Grade - intended for use in the plasticizer manufacture.
b) Industrial Grade - intended for use in other industrial applications.
The requirements for material compliance are specified in the table below
|
Sr. No
|
Characteristics
|
Requirements
|
|
Plasticizer Grade
|
Industrial Grade
|
|
|
Colour, Pt-Co, Max
|
10
|
15
|
|
|
Relative density, 27°/27 °C
|
0.830 to 0.833
|
0.830 to 0.833
|
|
|
Distillation range
a) Initial boiling point at 760 mm Hg, Min
b) Dry point at 760 mm Hg, Max
|
180°C
186°C
|
180°C
186°C
|
|
|
Water content, percent by mass, Max
|
0.1
|
0.15
|
|
|
Acidity (as acetic acid), percent by mass, Max
Or
Acid Value (mg of KOH/gm), Max
|
0.01
0.1
|
0.02
0.2
|
|
|
Aldehydes and ketones (as carbonyl group), percent by mass, Max
|
0.02
|
0.05
|
|
|
Sulphuric acid colour, Pt-Co, Max
|
50
|
100
|
|
|
Purity (by GC), percent by mass, Min
|
99.5
|
99.0
|
Packing and Marking
The material should be supplied in securely closed mild steel containers, or in any other packaging format agreed by the buyer and supplier.
Each container must be clearly marked with the following information:
