2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (2-EHA / Isooctanoic Acid)

Branched C8 Carboxylic Acid · Metal Salt Precursor · Purity ≥99.0% · 2-EHA Supplier from China · Full Repr. 1B Regulatory Documentation

⚠ Regulatory Notice - EU CLP Repr. 1B (H360D) Reproductive Toxicant · US EPA HAP-Listed · REACH SVHC Candidate

1. EU CLP Repr. 1B (H360D) - Reproductive Toxicant Category 1B: 2-Ethylhexanoic acid (CAS 149-57-5) is classified as a reproductive toxicant Category 1B (may damage the unborn child) under EU CLP Regulation 1272/2008 - the highest confirmed reproductive toxicant category. Mandatory hazard labelling, reproductive health risk assessment for workers of childbearing potential, and exclusion of pregnant workers from 2-EHA exposure are required. All EU-market products containing ≥0.3% 2-EHA must bear Repr. 1B labelling.

2. US EPA Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) - Listed: 2-EHA is listed as a HAP under Clean Air Act Section 112(b). US facilities using 2-EHA above threshold quantities are subject to MACT/NESHAP emission monitoring, reporting, and control requirements.

3. REACH SVHC Candidate & Metal Salt Derivatives: 2-EHA's Repr. 1B classification supports its SVHC candidate status under REACH. Metal 2-ethylhexanoate salts derived from 2-EHA - including cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate - carry their own Repr. 1B designations. Buyers synthesising metal salt derivatives must assess the regulatory status of each derivative independently. See: ECHA substance page for CAS 149-57-5 →

ℹ Nomenclature - 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid vs Isooctanoic Acid

CAS 149-57-5 is correctly identified by its IUPAC name 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA). The term 'isooctanoic acid' is a common trade name widely used in the Chinese chemical industry (GB/T standards), but it is technically ambiguous - it could refer to any of several branched C8 carboxylic acid isomers. In all international trade documentation, REACH filings, US EPA HAP reporting, TSCA submissions, and safety data sheets, the correct designations are '2-ethylhexanoic acid' and CAS 149-57-5. Always use the CAS number and IUPAC name in procurement contracts, customs declarations, and regulatory filings.

ℹ 2-EHA as Metal Salt Precursor - Driers, Catalysts & Organometallic Compounds

The largest global use of 2-EHA is as the acid precursor for metal 2-ethylhexanoate (octoate) salts. The 2-ethylhexanoate anion provides a branched C8 carboxylate ligand that makes metal salts oil-soluble, thermally stable, and highly effective as catalysts and driers. Key derivatives: Cobalt octoate (primary alkyd through-drier) · Zirconium octoate (surface drier, cobalt replacement) · Zinc octoate (auxiliary drier) · Tin octoate (T-9) (PU catalyst) · Bismuth octoate (non-Co/Sn PU catalyst) · Neodymium octoate (Ziegler-Natta catalyst). Note: cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate carries its own separate Repr. 1B + SVHC classification - buyers must assess each derivative independently.

Why is CAS 149-57-5 called both '2-ethylhexanoic acid' and 'isooctanoic acid' - which is correct?

'2-Ethylhexanoic acid' is the IUPAC systematic name - it unambiguously identifies a hexanoic acid with an ethyl substituent at the 2-position. 'Isooctanoic acid' is a trade name used in Chinese and other Asian chemical standards (GB/T) for this specific compound, but it is technically ambiguous - it could in principle refer to any branched C8 carboxylic acid isomer (4-methylheptanoic acid, 2-methylheptanoic acid, etc.). In all international trade documentation, REACH registration, US EPA HAP reporting, TSCA submissions, and safety data sheets, CAS 149-57-5 is identified as '2-ethylhexanoic acid'. Always use the IUPAC name and CAS number in procurement contracts and regulatory filings.

Does 2-EHA's Repr. 1B classification affect products made from it - such as alkyd coatings containing 2-EHA-derived driers?

The Repr. 1B classification applies to pure 2-EHA and to mixtures containing identifiable 2-EHA. When 2-EHA reacts with a metal oxide to form a metal 2-ethylhexanoate salt, the resulting salt is a different substance with its own regulatory assessment - cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate itself carries a separate Repr. 1B + SVHC classification, while zirconium and zinc 2-ethylhexanoates currently do not carry CMR classifications. When metal octoate driers are incorporated into alkyd coatings as minor additives (typically 0.01–0.1% metal on coating), the concentration of any individual Repr. 1B component in the final mixture is generally well below the 0.3% threshold that triggers labelling - though formulators must calculate the actual concentration in their specific formulation to confirm. Sinolook provides mixture classification calculation guidance on request.

What is the acid value of 2-EHA and how should I use it in metal octoate synthesis?

The theoretical AV for 100% pure 2-EHA (MW 144.21 g/mol) is 56,100 / 144.21 = 389 mg KOH/g. Sinolook's specification targets 385–392 mg KOH/g, bracketing the theoretical value with allowance for trace C8 isomers and 2-ethylhexanol. In metal octoate synthesis, the 2-EHA charge is calculated as: moles of 2-EHA per kg = AV / 56.1. Always use the COA acid value for the specific batch - not the nominal 389 - because a 5 mg KOH/g AV variation corresponds to ~1.3% variation in the calculated 2-EHA charge, directly affecting metal content and free acid in the product. Free acid excess causes colour development and product instability; metal oxide excess causes haze and precipitation.

Can 2-EHA be used in food contact applications - such as lubricants for food processing equipment?

2-EHA's Repr. 1B (H360D) classification means intentional incorporation into food contact applications requires careful regulatory review in each jurisdiction. In the EU, Repr. 1B substances face scrutiny under food contact material regulations and may not be permitted for migration into food. In the US, Repr. 1B substances face significant barriers to food contact approval. Buyers considering 2-EHA derivatives in any food contact application must consult the applicable national food safety authority and conduct a substance-specific safety assessment. Sinolook does not supply 2-EHA for direct food contact use and recommends customers evaluate non-Repr. alternatives - such as straight-chain C8 caprylic acid (CAS 124-07-2), which does not carry Repr. 1B classification - for any food contact formulation.

Contact Sinolook - Your Trusted 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid / Isooctanoic Acid Supplier

Whether you are a coating drier manufacturer synthesising cobalt, zirconium, manganese, calcium, or zinc 2-ethylhexanoate octoates for air-drying alkyd systems; a polyurethane catalyst producer synthesising tin, bismuth, or zinc octoate catalysts for foam and CASE applications; an alkyd resin manufacturer incorporating 2-EHA directly into polyester backbone synthesis; a PVC stabiliser formulator building calcium-zinc 2-ethylhexanoate systems for RoHS-compliant PVC; a synthetic lubricant producer manufacturing 2-EH ester base fluids; or a specialty organometallic catalyst producer requiring rare earth or transition metal octoates - Sinolook Chemical delivers purity ≥99.0%, COA-verified acid value for precise metal salt stoichiometry, and a comprehensive Repr. 1B regulatory documentation package. Our team responds within 24 hours.