Database/Skin Conditioning/1,2-Heptanediol
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is 1,2-Heptanediol natural?

It depends. Dominant supply is epoxidation and hydrolysis of petrochemical 1-heptene; a bio-based C7 diol from castor-derived or sugar-derived feedstock would be fully natural.

INCI name1,2-Heptanediol
CAS3710-31-4
FormulaC7H16O2 · 132.20 Da
FunctionSkin Conditioning
FeedstockMost 1,2-heptanediol is made by epoxidising petrochemical 1-heptene…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
1-Heptene epoxidation then hydrolysispetrochemical 1-heptene0.00approx. 85% (estimate; dominant)
Bio-based C7 feedstock to 1,2-diolcastor- or sugar-derived C7 building block1.00approx. 15% (estimate)
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

C7H16O2 132.2 Da, all carbon from the chosen feedstock. 1-Heptene (petrochemical) route 0 / 132.2 = 0.0; plant-derived C7 feedstock route 132.2 / 132.2 = 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Most 1,2-heptanediol is made by epoxidising petrochemical 1-heptene and hydrolysing the epoxide to the diol. Plant-derived grades from castor-derived or sugar-derived C7 feedstock may be offered, but their share is uncertain.

In plain English

A short-chain diol (two-alcohol) liquid listed for skin conditioning. It is usually made from petroleum-derived 1-heptene, though plant-based versions may exist.

CosIng definition: 1,2-Heptanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:

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Structure

2D structure of 1,2-Heptanediol

heptane-1,2-diol

PubChem CID 77302 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 21,2-Heptanediol. PubChem CID 77302. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 31,2-HEPTANEDIOL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 41,2-HEPTANEDIOL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=1%2C2-HEPTANEDIOL