Product Overview
Liquid Octene is a linear alpha-olefin (LAO) characterized by the chemical formula CH₂=CH-(CH₂)₅-CH₃. It is a clear, colorless, and combustible liquid at ambient conditions. As a versatile C8 olefin, liquid 1-octene serves as a high-performance comonomer in polyethylene production and a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of surfactants, plasticizers, and specialty chemicals. Its longer carbon chain, compared to butene or hexene, provides unique benefits in polymer modification and downstream chemistry. The consistent supply and high purity of liquid 1-octene are essential for manufacturing advanced plastics and high-value chemical derivatives.
Basic Information
| CAS No. | 111-66-0 |
| UN No. | UN3295 (Hydrocarbons, liquid, n.o.s.) or specific listings depending on packaging. |
| Molecular Formula | C₈H₁₆ |
| Hazard Classification | 3 (Flammable liquid) |
Key Attributes & Parameters
| Purity | Polymer-grade typically >99.0% (often >99.5%), with stringent controls on isomers (internal octenes), peroxides, alcohols, sulfur, and water content to ensure optimal performance in catalytic processes. |
| Physical State | Clear, colorless, mobile liquid. |
| Boiling Point | 121.3 °C (250.3 °F) |
| Melting Point | -101.7 °C (-151.1 °F) |
| Flash Point | 21 °C (70 °F) (closed cup) |
| Density | ~0.71 g/mL at 20°C |
| Key Specification | High linear alpha-olefin content (typically >99% 1-octene). |
Features & Advantages
Premium Comonomer for HDPE:
When used as a comonomer with ethylene, Liquid octene introduces longer short-chain branches (SCB) compared to butene or hexene. This results in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) with dramatically improved toughness, slow crack growth resistance, and environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), which are critical for pressure pipe and durable container applications.
Foundation for High-Performance Polymers
Enables the production of metallocene-grade plastomers and elastomers (POP, POE) with very low density and high elasticity, used in soft-touch applications, flexible packaging, and automotive parts.
Versatile Chemical Intermediate
The terminal double bond makes it highly reactive for hydroformylation (to produce C9 aldehydes/alcohols for plasticizers), oligomerization, and polymerization, serving as a building block for surfactants, synthetic lubricants, and specialty chemicals.
Superior Performance in Demanding Applications
Polymers incorporating 1-octene exhibit better mechanical properties at both high and low temperatures compared to those made with shorter-chain comonomers.
Functional Characteristics
As a comonomer, liquid 1-octene is copolymerized with ethylene using advanced catalysts (e.g., metallocenes). Its incorporation creates precisely placed hexyl branches (from the C8 chain) along the polyethylene backbone. These longer branches effectively disrupt crystallinity without significantly reducing short-term strength, leading to resins with an exceptional balance of stiffness, ductility, and long-term durability. In chemical synthesis, its functionality stems from the reactive vinyl group, which undergoes reactions like hydroformylation (oxo synthesis) to produce nonanal and its derivatives. It is typically stored under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen blanket) to prevent peroxide formation.
Primary Application Fields
Polyethylene Production (Primary Use)
HDPE/MDPE: For high-performance pressure pipes (water, gas), large blow-molded fuel tanks, and chemical containers requiring supreme ESCR.
Plastomers & Elastomers (POP/POE): For flexible packaging, impact modifiers, wire & cable, and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs).
Surfactants & Detergents
Via hydroformylation and subsequent processes to produce C9 alcohols, which are ethoxylated to make nonionic surfactants.
Plasticizer Alcohols
Oxo-derived C9 alcohols are esterified with acids like phthalic anhydride to produce DINP/DIDP, which are high-molecular-weight phthalate plasticizers for PVC.
Synthetic Lubricants
Oligomerized or polymerized to form polyalphaolefin (PAO) basestocks for high-performance lubricants.
Specialty Chemicals
Intermediate for flavors, fragrances, agrochemicals, and other fine chemicals.
Customer Collaboration Case
A manufacturer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure pipes for the natural gas distribution market needed to develop a new pipe grade that could withstand higher operating pressures and more demanding soil conditions while meeting a 100-year service life certification. Their standard hexene-based copolymer lacked the required resistance to slow crack growth. We partnered with them to formulate a new resin using our high-purity liquid 1-octene as the comonomer. We supplied a dedicated, consistent stream of polymer-grade liquid 1-octene and collaborated on optimizing their gas-phase reactor conditions. The resulting 1-octene-based HDPE resin demonstrated a tenfold improvement in Pennsylvania Notched Test (PENT) results-a key measure of slow crack growth resistance-far exceeding industry standards. This allowed the customer to launch a superior pipe grade that enabled utilities to use thinner pipe walls or operate at higher pressures safely. The success, driven by the performance of liquid 1-octene, secured them a major contract for a national pipeline upgrade project, showcasing how advanced comonomers enable next-generation material solutions.
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