hendecanol

Hendecanol, also known as undecanol or undecyl alcohol, is a fatty alcohol with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)10OH. It is a straight-chain saturated alcohol containing eleven carbon atoms. At room temperature, hendecanol is typically a colorless liquid or a low-melting solid. It is sparingly soluble in water but miscible with many organic solvents. Hendecanol occurs naturally in some essential oils and is a component of certain plant waxes.

Industrially, hendecanol is often synthesized through the reduction of undecanoic acid or its esters. It can also be produced via the Ziegler process or by the oxo process from undecene. The primary uses of hendecanol are as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals. It is employed in the production of surfactants, plasticizers, and lubricants. Its derivatives can also find applications in the fragrance and flavor industries due to their characteristic odors. Hendecanol itself has a mild, waxy odor.