Draft Indian Standard on 2-Ethylhexan-1-ol Released for Public Review
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.
BIS draft standard 2-Ethylhexan-1-ol 2026, 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
The Gas Chromatography method revised for determining purity and impurities.
- Acidity, expressed as acetic acid, may be reported as acid value.
- “Boiling point determination” has been renamed “distillation range determination”.
- Instrumental methods have been added (potentiometric titration for acidity/acid value and automatic viscometer for relative density).
- Minimum purity for industrial grade revised to 99.0%.
- Determination of the distillation range is made optional.
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.
| 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 | |
The requirements for material compliance are specified in the table below
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:
- Product name
- Manufacturer’s name and registered trade mark, if available
- Month and year of manufacture
- Net quantity
- Lot or batch identification number
- Any statutory labeling requirements
