Database/Emollient/Octyldodecanol
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Octyldodecanol natural?

It depends. The molecule is two fatty-alcohol units joined by Guerbet condensation; the value depends entirely on whether the decanol feedstock is natural or synthetic.

INCI nameOctyldodecanol
CAS5333-42-6
FormulaC20H42O · 298.5 Da
FunctionEmollient · Fragrance
FeedstockMade by Guerbet-dimerising decanol (a C10 fatty alcohol),…

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
Natural fatty-alcohol Guerbet routecoconut/palm-kernel-derived decanol dimerised by Guerbet condensation1.00majority of cosmetic-grade supply
Petrochemical Guerbet routeZiegler/oxo synthetic decanol dimerised by Guerbet condensation0.00minority
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Guerbet dimer of two decanol units losing water; NOI = 1.00 if decanol is coco/palm-derived, 0.00 if Ziegler/oxo synthetic; no partial-fragment case exists.
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.

How it’s made

Aldol condensation of two decanals (hydroxide), E1cB dehydration. The film draws the key step and names the steps after it. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Made by Guerbet-dimerising decanol (a C10 fatty alcohol), which can come from coconut/palm kernel oil or from petrochemical Ziegler/oxo synthesis. Cosmetic-grade material is often marketed as plant-derived, but supply is not exclusively so.

In plain English

A silky, lightweight conditioning alcohol used in skin and hair products. It is made by joining two smaller fatty-alcohol molecules; depending on the supplier, those may come from coconut oil or from petroleum-based synthesis.

CosIng definition: Octyldodecanol is an aliphatic alcohol that conforms generally to the formula:

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Structure

2D structure of Octyldodecanol

2-octyldodecan-1-ol

PubChem CID 21414 ↗

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. 2Octyldodecanol. PubChem CID 21414. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3OCTYLDODECANOL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4OCTYLDODECANOL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=OCTYLDODECANOL