Isodecyl

Isodecyl is a term used in chemistry and industry to denote branched alkyl groups derived from decane, comprising ten carbon atoms. In practice, "isodecyl" does not refer to a single fixed molecule; it describes a family of isomeric branched decyl groups used as substituents or alkyl chains in a variety of compounds. The iso- prefix indicates branching, and multiple isomers can satisfy the descriptor, with the exact structure specified when needed in systematic naming.

Because of its branched nature, the isodecyl group is more compact and less linear than a normal decyl (n-decyl) chain. This affects properties such as packing, solubility, evaporation, and compatibility in formulations. In commercial products, "isodecyl" appears in surfactants, detergents, and cosmetic ingredients, where the branched chain influences performance characteristics like wetting, emulsification, or emollience.

Examples of usage include isodecyl substituents in surfactants and emulsifiers, and in cosmetic emollients or carriers. Product names such as isodecyl benzenesulfonate or isodecyl esters are common in catalogs, though the precise isomer is usually defined in the ingredient’s INCI name or chemical specification.

See also: decyl, branched alkanes, isopropyl, alkyl substituents.