Products
| HS Code | 537121 |
| Chemical Name | n-Propyl Alcohol |
| Iupac Name | Propan-1-ol |
| Chemical Formula | C3H8O |
| Molecular Weight | 60.10 g/mol |
| Cas Number | 71-23-8 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Mild alcoholic, slightly pungent |
| Melting Point | -126.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 97.2 °C |
| Flash Point | 23 °C |
| Density | 0.803 g/cm3 at 20 °C |
| Solubility In Water | Miscible |
| Refractive Index | 1.385 at 20 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 20 mmHg at 20 °C |
| Autoignition Temperature | 371 °C |
As an accredited n-Propyl Alcohol factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | n-Propyl Alcohol, 1 liter, supplied in a labeled HDPE bottle with secure closure for safe handling and storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Loading n-Propyl Alcohol into 20′ FCL: secure drums/IBCs, ventilate, ground equipment, prevent ignition, ensure compatibility and labeling. |
| Shipping | n-Propyl Alcohol is a flammable, toxic liquid shipped in steel drums, IBCs, or tank containers. Proper UN identification (UN1274), hazard labeling, and grounding against static discharge are required. Transport by road, rail, or sea must comply with IMDG/ADR regulations, ensuring segregation from oxidizers and ignition sources. |
| Storage | Store n-Propyl Alcohol in tightly sealed containers made of compatible materials, away from heat, sparks, open flames, and strong oxidizers. Keep in a cool, well-ventilated area, preferably in a flammable-liquid storage cabinet. Ensure grounding and bonding for transfers, and clearly label containers to prevent accidental misuse or contamination. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 3 years when stored in a tightly sealed container, away from heat and ignition sources. |
Rotogravure and flexographic printing inks formulated for food-contact packaging use n-propanol as a medium-boiling active solvent for nitrocellulose, polyamide, and polyvinyl butyral binder systems. In production-scale ink manufacturing, nitrocellulose is pre-wetted with an n-propanol/ethyl acetate blend before high-shear dispersion on a Cowles dissolver operating at 12–18 m/s tip speed; letdown n-propanol additions then reduce viscosity to press-ready values of 18–28 s on a Zahn #2 cup at 25 °C. Surface-print BOPP and reverse-print PET solvent blends typically contain 8–20 wt% n-propanol, 30–50 wt% ethyl acetate, and 20–40 wt% ethanol, with exact ratios adjusted to engraved cylinder depth and plate anilox volume. On 8-colour central-impression flexo presses running at 150–250 m/min, inter-stage dryers set between 50 °C and 80 °C are used to maintain residual n-propanol in the dried ink film below 2 mg/m², because higher retained solvent burdens cause adhesion loss on corona-treated polyolefin substrates whose surface energy has fallen below 38 mN/m. Production-scale flexo presses with interstage dryer length below 1.0 m have recorded residual n-propanol spikes above 2 mg/m² when press speed exceeds 250 m/min; this condition is corrected by reducing letdown n-propanol toward the lower end of the cited range and increasing dryer air flow to 30–40 m/s. Compliance is governed by EU Regulation EC 1907/2006 for substance registration and by Commission Regulation EU 10/2011 for overall migration from plastic food-contact materials; in the United States, food-contact ink formulations are evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 175.105 and 21 CFR 175.300, with residual solvent testing performed by headspace gas chromatography. The terminal article range includes snack food wrappers, confectionery flow-wrap, bread bags, self-adhesive labels, and shrink sleeves on BOPP, PET, PA, and PE substrates. Operational boundaries arise from the n-propanol flash point of 15 °C; mixing vessels, solvent storage, and press-side extraction must be explosion-proof, and n-propanol concentrations above 20 wt% in the solvent blend can promote ink blocking in warm summer pressrooms above 30 °C.
In single-component nitrocellulose wood lacquers, n-propanol functions as a latent solvent and drying retarder that controls film levelling and prevents blushing under relative humidity above 60%. Production formulations add 2–8 wt% n-propanol to the solvent phase, alongside 15–25 wt% n-butyl acetate, 5–10 wt% ethanol, and 10–15 wt% nitrocellulose. The lacquer is manufactured in explosion-proof high-speed dispersers and filtered through bag filters before application by HVLP spray guns at atomization pressure 1.0–1.5 bar; dry film thickness for furniture surfaces is held between 35 µm and 50 µm. Solvent release is monitored by ASTM D1640 drying time tests, while VOC content is measured by ASTM D2369 or ISO 11890-1, with formulation VOC targets below the relevant EU 2004/42/EC Annex IIA subcategory limit, typically 400–500 g/L for ready-to-use wood lacquers. The terminal component classes include kitchen cabinet doors, office furniture, interior wooden mouldings, and musical instrument finishes. A critical processing boundary is the upper n-propanol addition: above 8 wt%, solvent release is slowed and residual n-propanol after 48 h can exceed 2.5 wt%, producing soft films and blocking in stacked components; below 2 wt% at spraying humidity above 70%, blushing defects appear in the dried film. Automated flatline finishing lines that stack panels within 4 h of spraying show blocking when n-propanol exceeds 8 wt%; the corrective action reduces n-propanol to 3–5 wt% and raises flash-off temperature to 25–30 °C.
n-Propanol is consumed as a raw material in reactive distillation for n-propyl acetate production using a sulfonic acid resin catalyst, typically Amberlyst 15. The molar acetic acid to n-propanol ratio is maintained between 1.15:1 and 1.30:1; esterification conversion above 95% is achieved at column top temperatures between 80 °C and 95 °C with a reflux ratio of 1.5–2.5, and water is removed as an azeotrope with n-propyl acetate. The column is packed with structured corrugated packing, and the reboiler temperature is maintained at 110–120 °C; the condensed heteroazeotrope is separated in a decanter with the organic phase refluxed to the column. Crude ester is washed, dried, and distilled to a purity above 99 wt%; production sites operate under ISO 9001 and the substance itself is covered by REACH registration. In a second downstream route, vapor-phase amination of n-propanol over a nickel-containing catalyst at 180–220 °C and 1–5 MPa produces a mixture of monopropylamine, dipropylamine, and tripropylamine; product distribution is controlled by the ammonia to alcohol molar ratio and reactor contact time, with monopropylamine yield increasing when the NH₃/alcohol molar ratio exceeds 2.0. The propylamine mixture is separated by distillation and consumed in agrochemical synthesis, rubber vulcanization accelerators, and quaternary ammonium compound manufacture, while n-propyl acetate is supplied to flexographic ink, nitrocellulose lacquer, and cosmetic nail enamel formulators. The operational limit for the amination step is n-propanol feed water content: levels above 0.1 wt% require molecular sieve drying before entering the catalyst bed to avoid premature catalyst deactivation.
n-Propanol is classified as a Class 3 residual solvent under ICH Q3C, with a PDE of 50 mg/day and a harmonized final concentration limit of 5000 ppm, enforced through USP <467> and Ph. Eur. 5.4 residual solvent methods. In API crystallization, n-propanol is used as an anti-solvent for controlled crystal growth and is metered into a seeded alcoholic or aqueous mother liquor at 0.2–0.5 L/min per 100 L batch to suppress uncontrolled nucleation. Toll API batch records indicate n-propanol loadings between 6 L/kg and 10 L/kg of crude substrate, although published data for specific molecular structures is limited. The crystallizer is a jacketed glass-lined vessel with a retreat-blade agitator operating at 30–60 rpm; solids are isolated by centrifuge and dried in a vacuum tray dryer below 50 °C. Release testing uses headspace GC-FID to confirm dried product remains below the residual n-propanol specification. Terminal products include oral solid dosage intermediates and sterile API precursors. The main operational boundary is flammability; nitrogen inertization is required during charging and centrifugation when the vessel vapor space may exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit.
Alcohol-based hand disinfectants and surface wipes may use n-propanol as the active alcohol or in combination with isopropanol and ethanol under EU Biocidal Products Regulation Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. Formulations intended for product-types PT1 and PT2 are tested according to EN 1276 for bactericidal activity, EN 13624 for fungicidal activity, and EN 14476 for virucidal claims. Commercial formulations typically contain 20–50% v/v n-propanol, with total alcohol content between 60% v/v and 80% v/v; at 40% v/v n-propanol, a contact time of 30 s is generally sufficient to achieve a log10 reduction above 5 for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli under clean conditions. Manufacturing is performed in closed explosion-proof stainless steel mixing vessels with demineralized water, hydrogen peroxide, and humectants such as glycerol, followed by nitrogen-blanketed storage and filling on high-speed lines. Terminal articles include hygienic hand rubs, pre-operative skin antiseptics, surface disinfectant wipes, and spray disinfectants for food-contact surfaces. The main incompatibilities are carbohydrate-based gelling agents that precipitate at high alcohol concentration and the low n-propanol odor threshold, which requires fragrance masking when n-propanol exceeds 20% v/v; headspace n-propanol vapor in filling areas is additionally kept below 25% LEL by local exhaust ventilation.
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n-Propyl alcohol (n-propanol; CAS 71-23-8; EC 200-746-9; linear formula CH₃CH₂CH₂OH; molar mass 60.10 g/mol) is supplied as a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odour. The industrial product is manufactured predominantly by cobalt- or rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of ethylene to propionaldehyde, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the aldehyde; this two-step route yields a technical-grade material that can be further refined to analytical and electronic specifications. Typical bulk technical specifications are: purity ≥99.5 wt% by gas chromatography, water ≤0.10 wt% by ASTM E203 Karl Fischer titration, acidity as acetic acid ≤0.002 wt% by ASTM D1613, distillation range 96.0–98.0 °C by ASTM D1078, APHA colour ≤10 by ASTM D1209, and density 0.803–0.805 g/cm³ at 20 °C by ASTM D4052. Commercial model designations distinguish technical grade, ACS reagent grade, HPLC/ultraviolet grade, anhydrous grade, and electronic grade; electronic grades are supplied with trace-metal specifications in the low ng/g range for sodium, potassium, iron, and aluminium to limit residue formation in semiconductor cleaning operations, although published data for this specific configuration is limited and exact thresholds are purchase-specification dependent.
Grade differentiation is primarily based on water and low-boiling impurity profiles. Anhydrous material is dried to water ≤0.005 wt% and packaged under inert gas; HPLC/ultraviolet grades are produced by pre-column distillation and filtered through 0.2 μm membranes to reduce particulate matter below 10 particles/mL in the ≥0.5 μm channel. The technical-grade material may contain 0.01–0.05 wt% propionaldehyde and traces of allyl alcohol or n-propyl formate, which influence colour stability in downstream esters and should be controlled by gas chromatographic methods. Transport classification follows UN 1274 for n-propanol. Under the Globally Harmonized System the full-strength material carries H226, and European distribution requires REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 registration and safety data sheets conforming to Annex II. Applications in food-contact packaging must be evaluated under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 with migration limits calculated for the printed or coated film structure, not the solvent as supplied.
| Property | n-Propyl alcohol | Isopropanol | Ethanol | n-Butanol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molar mass (g/mol) | 60.10 | 60.10 | 46.07 | 74.12 |
| Boiling point (°C at 101.3 kPa) | 97.2 | 82.6 | 78.4 | 117.7 |
| Vapour pressure (kPa at 20 °C) | 2.0 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 0.6 |
| Density (g/cm³ at 20 °C) | 0.804 | 0.786 | 0.789 | 0.810 |
| Dynamic viscosity (mPa·s at 20 °C) | 2.26 | 2.04 | 1.20 | 3.00 |
| Flash point (°C, ASTM D56 closed cup) | 23 | 12 | 13 | 35 |
| Log Kow | 0.25 | 0.05 | -0.31 | 0.88 |
The linear chain of n-propanol increases boiling point and reduces vapour pressure relative to isopropanol. The primary hydroxyl group gives a Hansen solubility parameter total of 24.5 MPa1/2, compared with 23.6 MPa1/2 for isopropanol and 26.5 MPa1/2 for ethanol; these differences shift compatibility with nitrocellulose, polyamide, and polyurethane resins. In oxidative conditions, n-propanol dehydrogenates to propionaldehyde, whereas isopropanol forms acetone; this pathway difference is exploited in printing-ink thinning where aldehyde formation is less detrimental than acetone odour and peroxide accumulation.
The Hansen solubility data place n-propanol between ethanol and n-butanol in total cohesive energy, making it useful for resin systems that require stronger polar interaction than isopropanol but less aggressive fibre swelling than ethanol. In closed-loop washing systems for printing components, n-propanol has a higher boiling point than isopropanol, which allows recovery by batch distillation at 90–100 °C rather than 80–85 °C. The energy demand per kilogram is therefore higher, but solvent losses from evaporative emissions are lower when processing at ambient temperature because vapour pressure is 2.0 kPa versus 4.4 kPa for isopropanol. Vacuum distillation at 30–40 kPa can reduce reboiler temperature and limit oxidative aldehyde formation in recycled solvent streams.
Central-impression flexographic presses running solvent-based nitrocellulose-polyurethane inks on polyethylene and polypropylene films use n-propanol as a co-solvent with ethyl acetate and ethanol to control solvent release. On 8- and 10-colour lines with chambered doctor blade systems and laser-engraved ceramic anilox rolls of 800–1,200 LPI, n-propanol additions of 5–15 wt% maintain press-side viscosity at 18–25 s using a DIN 4 mm cup at 20 °C and reduce anilox cell drying at machine speeds of 150–300 m/min. The vapour pressure of n-propanol at 20 °C is 2.0 kPa, compared with 4.4 kPa for isopropanol and 5.8 kPa for ethanol; this retards skinning in ink trays while still releasing adequately in high-velocity dryers at 50–80 °C. Formulators specify n-propanol rather than isopropanol where nitrocellulose solubility and odour limits are critical; isopropanol can increase haze in lamination-grade films under high humidity due to faster evaporative cooling and condensation.
Anilox roll cleaning with n-propanol is more effective than ethanol in removing dried nitrocellulose-polyurethane ink residues at ultrasonic bath temperatures of 40–50 °C. The slower evaporation extends contact time on engraved cell walls; however, n-propanol should not be used neat on natural rubber or polyurethane elastomer doctor-blade holders because swelling can exceed 15% linear dimension after 24 h immersion. In recycled solvent distillation on flexographic lines, n-propanol-rich bottom streams require base addition to neutralise acetic acid decomposition products from ethyl acetate hydrolysis; otherwise reboiler corrosion rates in carbon steel vessels can exceed 0.1 mm/year at 90 °C. Excessive n-propanol addition above 20 wt% is a known production limitation: residual solvent retention in back-side printed film after rewind can cause blocking at stack pressures of 0.5–1.0 MPa over 72 h, particularly in high-slip low-density polyethylene grades.
In two-component polyurethane laminating adhesives for flexible packaging, n-propanol is used as a diluent to adjust coating viscosity without excessive moisture uptake. Adhesive solutions at 30–40 wt% solids and viscosity 200–800 mPa·s at 20 °C are diluted to 15–20 s by DIN 4 mm cup for reverse-gravure application. On a solvent-based laminating line with a drying tunnel at 80–100 °C, the lower vapour pressure of n-propanol compared with isopropanol reduces evaporative cooling on the gravure cylinder at relative humidity above 60%; this limits condensation that would otherwise introduce water into isocyanate-terminated prepolymers, producing urea linkages and raising laminate haze. n-Propanol is preferred over isopropanol in high-humidity coating rooms because the secondary alcohol has a flash point of 12 °C and evaporates fast enough to create surface condensation on chrome-plated gravure cylinders.
The isocyanate content of the diluted adhesive is controlled by ASTM D2572 titration. If n-propanol contains water above 0.10 wt%, moisture consumes isocyanate groups on a 1:2 molar basis, promotes urea, and reduces pot life below 4 h at 25 °C. On reverse-gravure coating stations, the lower vapour pressure of n-propanol reduces evaporation rate at the cylinder contact line; this maintains a more uniform coating weight in the 2.0–4.0 g/m² dry-adhesive range at line speeds of 80–150 m/min. When isopropanol is substituted 1:1 by weight, gravure cylinder cell emptying can become unstable above 60% relative humidity because condensation adds water to the coating bath and increases surface tension beyond 36 mN/m; n-propanol-diluted baths remain below this threshold under the same conditions.
Acid-catalysed esterification of acetic acid with n-propanol proceeds with less steric hindrance than isopropanol, giving n-propyl acetate in reactive distillation columns at conversions greater than 98% with p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst loadings of 0.5–1.0 wt% relative to total charge. Water is removed as a heterogeneous azeotrope with n-propanol; the binary n-propanol-water azeotrope boils at 87.7 °C and contains 71.7 wt% n-propanol, which sets the lower operating limit for reflux ratio control during esterification. In contrast, isopropanol-water azeotrope boils at 80.4 °C and contains 87.7 wt% isopropanol, requiring more careful split to avoid alcohol loss in the distillate phase.
The linear C3 alcohol is also converted to n-propylamine, di-n-propylamine, and tri-n-propylamine by reductive amination with ammonia and hydrogen over supported nickel or cobalt catalysts. The primary alcohol structure favours less branched amine isomer than feedstock streams containing isopropanol; the reaction is run in fixed-bed adiabatic reactors at 150–220 °C and 0.5–3 MPa with hydrogen-to-ammonia molar ratios adjusted to shift monopropylamine selectivity. In pharmaceutical peptide synthesis, n-propanol is used as a recrystallization solvent because its boiling point of 97.2 °C and water miscibility permit hot dissolution and controlled crystal recovery at cooling rates of 0.1–0.5 °C/min in jacketed stainless-steel vessels.
Bulk storage tanks should be carbon steel or 316L stainless steel with nitrogen blanketing and flame arrestors; grounding and bonding resistance should be below 10 Ω under NFPA 77. n-Propanol is a flammable liquid with flash point 23 °C by ASTM D56 and boiling point 97.2 °C; storage should avoid direct sunlight and heat sources above 40 °C. The material is incompatible with strong oxidizers, chromium trioxide, and peroxides; contact with alkali metals can liberate hydrogen. Gaskets and seals in nitrile rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene are used; natural rubber and polyurethane elastomers may swell.
n-Propanol does not form peroxides as readily as isopropanol, but headspace oxygen should be excluded because autoxidation produces propionaldehyde, which can raise acidity beyond specification. In closed recycle loops, antioxidant addition is not recommended for electronic-grade material; instead, vacuum degassing at 20–30 kPa and storage under 99.9% nitrogen reduce oxygen ingress below 100 ppm in tank headspace.
Safety data sheets for n-propanol must comply with REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex II, and workplace exposure limits should be verified against the applicable national list. Spill containment should use alcohol-resistant foam or dry chemical; the solvent should not be discharged to drains without activated-carbon or biological treatment because theoretical chemical oxygen demand is approximately 2.4 g O₂ per 1 g of n-propanol, placing it among high-COD solvents in effluent control.
