Fatty alcohols

Summary The two commercially important processes for the production of fatty alcohols (sodium reduction and hydrogenolysis) have been reviewed with respect to operations, types of alcohols obtainable, relative economics, properties and uses of the fatty alchols. The sodium‐reduction process is applicable to the reduction of saturated as well as unsaturated esters, and in the latter case the unsaturation of the raw materials is preserved in the product alcohols. Hydrogenolysis, on the other hand, produces predominantly saturated alcohols, regardless of the unsaturation of the raw materials, except in instances where special catalysts are used. Hydrogenolysis has the advantages of cheaper raw materials, wider choice of feed stocks, and wider choice of locations whereas sodium reduction is more flexible (permits production of both saturated and unsaturated fatty alcohols), requires a lower initial investment, involves simpler operation and maintenance, and yields products of superior quality for detergent uses. The physical and chemical properties of fatty alcohols have been reviewed briefly. While the largest current market for fatty alcohols lies in the field of detergent preparation, the unsaturated fatty alchols and their derivatives also have many potential uses in the manufacture of such other products as lubricant additives, waxes, and wetting and emulsifying agents. Markets for these fatty alcohols depend upon the results of application research and product development.