3-Heptadecylcatechol brings a complex yet straightforward story for anyone working with specialty chemicals. Its molecular formula, C23H40O2, packs both a long heptadecyl chain and a catechol core, making it a candidate for use in research labs and advanced manufacturing. This can show up as a solid—sometimes in the form of pearly flakes or a fine powder—under ambient conditions. The reason behind these forms comes down to the balance between the long alkyl chain and the functional hydroxyl groups. Looking at physical properties, you get a density hovering close to 0.95 g/cm³, giving you a sense that it packs a little less heft in your hand than similar aromatic compounds. The melting point, depending on how refined the product is, tends to run between 60–65°C. If you’re after a liquid, heating it above the melting mark gives latitude for blending or dissolving in compatible organic solvents. Transparent crystalline chunks signal high purity grade, something that matters in both synthesis and quality testing.
This compound stands out in materials chemistry because of its amphiphilic character. That long hydrocarbon tail doesn’t just sit on paper; it blocks out water, making it a top choice for hydrophobic coatings and surfactant formulations. Meanwhile, the catechol head group interacts with metals, resins, and even biological membranes, allowing researchers to build new composites and test out new adhesives. The structure boils down to a benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups hooked to a long alkyl chain branching out from the third position on the ring. From what I’ve seen in lab benches and tech sheets, this odd combination lets you tune the solubility of the raw material in oil-based or polar mixtures, especially under varying temperature and pressure scenarios. Chemical suppliers often offer it as a technical grade powder, but if I needed ultra-high purity for analytical use, I would go for the crystalline solid or request a filtered solution. This is not a chemical most consumers hear about, but manufacturers in surfactants, adhesion promoters, or specialty coatings sometimes rely on its performance.
On a technical datasheet, you will find its appearance listed in detail: white or pale yellow solid flakes, with a tendency to clump into pearls under warm storage. The molar mass of 348.57 g/mol puts it in that middle weight range between small aromatics and full-scale polymers. The HS Code for trade, typically falling under 2907.29, identifies it with phenol derivatives, which matters if you are importing or exporting chemical stocks across borders. I have heard from logistics teams that packaging in sealed drums or HDPE containers extends shelf life and prevents unwanted oxidation. The stuff does not float on water, so spillage means straightforward cleanup but decent absorption into porous surfaces, something I keep in mind around lab benches and production lines. If you are tasked with measurement, handling density and volume at the liter scale should match up with standard organics, so nothing wildly irregular for transport.
Getting down to safety, anyone using 3-Heptadecylcatechol ought to know about its mild hazards. The compound counts as irritant; prolonged skin or eye contact leaves redness or discomfort. Good practice involves wearing nitrile gloves and splash-resistant eyewear, especially during weighing or formulation steps. I always keep it away from open flames—its flash point sits around 180°C—along with strong oxidizers, acids, and peroxides. It produces noxious fumes if overheated, so working under a fume hood feels like common sense. Waste material must go into hazardous chemical containers, destined for incineration by licensed disposal contractors. Thankfully, it does not pose catastrophic risk under standard handling, but safety data still requires it labeled ‘harmful’ under EU-GHS or OSHA guidelines. If anyone experiences exposure, quick rinsing with water usually does the trick, but visiting a clinic never hurts if irritation lasts.
What complicates things for industry users is shelf stability and raw material sourcing. Over time, light and oxygen chew up the aromatic core, leading to color changes and possible drops in purity. The best way around this involves airtight packaging and cool, dark storage spaces. Anyone buying in bulk notices that shipments from certain suppliers arrive with different consistency—reflecting subtle differences in process chemistry or storage conditions. This matters for end-users who need repeatable results, from making specialty surfactants to blending advanced adhesives. When manufacturing at scale, I place value on reliable certificates of analysis, batch traceability, and good communication with the supplier on what exact specifications I should expect. For the environmentally conscious, responsible waste practices make a real difference. Combining efficient use and proper end-of-life disposal, such as solvent recycling or energetic valorization, goes a long way in reducing burdens from specialty aromatic raw materials.
