Looking at the history of materials that changed the way engineers and manufacturers approach polymers, 1,6-hexanediol stands out for its persistent evolution. Its story stretches past seventy years. Early researchers in the mid-twentieth century sought reliable building blocks for plastics and resins, pushing beyond glycerol and ethylene glycol. Labs in Germany and the United States started the first syntheses, mostly by hydrogenating adipic acid esters under high pressure. The boom in synthetic fibers and polyurethane foams in the 1960s led producers to scale up the production of this diol. Since then, advances in catalytic hydrogenation and continuous process technology cut costs and increased purity, fueling wider adoption in paints, coatings, adhesives, and beyond. Today’s industrial use reflects decades of steady progress, each step shaped by the demands of markets hungry for performance and reliability.
This colorless, crystalline solid brings more to the table than its appearance suggests. With two terminal hydroxyl groups linked by six carbons, it has become a reliable choice for engineers chasing flexibility and resilience in final products. A melting point just above room temperature, coupled with a faint, sweet odor, gives clear clues about its benign nature. Unlike many other diols, it handles moisture with grace, resisting caking and degradation in typical storage. Bulk producers ship it mainly in 25kg bags, drums, or molten by tanker, offering flexibility for small labs and industrial plants alike. It keeps its performance stable from the beginning to the end of the supply chain, a fact that buyers everywhere value.
1,6-Hexanediol might seem plain, but its measurable characteristics shape entire sectors. The compound’s formula, C6H14O2, brings a molecular weight of 118.17 g/mol. Its melting point holds at 42°C, and it boils soft and steady at about 250°C, without breaking down at reasonable processing temperatures. Solubility in water, methanol, and ether simplifies blending, and the low volatility reduces emissions during processing. Its viscosity and lubricating action, especially at elevated temperatures, help equipment operators keep production lines free from clogging or wear. In my experience, even after years of handling diols in coatings labs, few compete with 1,6-hexanediol for sheer chemical reliability paired with steady performance across many formulations.
Every shipment arrives with technical data sheets that detail strict parameters. Key specifications set upper limits for moisture and color, with water content commonly tested to remain below 0.2 percent, while a near-zero acid value ensures no corrosion or side reactions in finished products. Purity levels usually exceed 99 percent. Monitoring heavy metal traces, especially nickel and cobalt from catalysts, guards worker safety and product shelf-life. Industry-standard labeling systems treat it as a low-to-moderate hazard, requiring proper chemical handling procedures. GHS labeling, including hazard pictograms and safety phrases, lines up with international transport and workplace safety codes. Producers stamp batch numbers, plant codes, and production dates, supporting traceability through the complex chemicals market.
Large-scale production of 1,6-hexanediol relies on hydrogenation of adipic acid esters or caprolactone intermediates. The process typically uses copper-chromite or nickel catalysts under pressures between 100 and 300 bar and temperatures over 150°C. Operators need to control reaction time and agitation speed to reach target yields of over ninety percent. Plant engineers frequently draw from process analytical technology—including continuous IR or NMR monitoring—to tighten up efficiency and guarantee minimal by-product formation. Recovered diol goes through distillation to remove residual water and trace impurities. In the world of green chemistry, researchers now experiment with bio-based adipic acid, aiming for lower emissions and renewable feedstocks, but the basic approach stays impressively robust across generations of plants and operators.
The two terminal hydroxyls anchor this diol at the center of versatile condensation and crosslinking reactions. Chemists routinely react it with diacids to yield linear or branched polyesters with flexible yet tough backbones—the foundation of modern TPU elastomers and coatings. Isocyanate derivatization leads straight into high-resilience polyurethanes, prized for their wear resistance. Alkylation and etherification produce lubricants or surfactant bases. For medical and advanced electronics uses, selective oxidation opens new routes to aldehydes or carboxylic acids, expanding the toolkit for specialty syntheses. Having worked with functional polyols in R&D labs, I can confirm that 1,6-hexanediol holds a special place among chemists for its predictability and breadth of downstream options.
1,6-Hexanediol goes by several names, a fact that sometimes trips up purchasing agents and lab techs. "Hexamethylene glycol" and the abbreviations HDO and HMDO fill order sheets depending on region. Some producers ship the product under registered trade names; BASF calls it Hexanediol, while Perstorp dubs it Curalon. Industry standards and regulatory listings sometimes use the CAS number 629-11-8 to clear up any ambiguity, a relief for anyone cross-referencing data sheets in global supply networks.
People working with 1,6-hexanediol need to show respect for chemical safety, even though it poses lower risks than many other building-block monomers. Direct skin or eye contact can cause mild irritation, so gloves and goggles stay mandatory in every proper lab or plant. Dust inhalation remains rare due to its low volatility, but dust-control equipment and proper ventilation belong in any plant that handles solids on a tonnage scale. National standards, including the European REACH listing and US OSHA guidelines, require safety data sheets to travel with shipments, laying out handling, storage, and spill cleanup guidelines. While the product doesn’t burn easily, storage away from strong oxidants or open flames lowers the risk of accidental fire or reactions. Spills need absorbing agents and quick attention to skip over slip hazards or unintended exposure.
Rubber and plastic manufacturers lean on 1,6-hexanediol for strength and flexibility, especially in elastomers that see constant stretching or stress. The electronics sector uses its polyesters for flexible circuit boards, where its resistance to heat and hydrolysis keeps devices working under tough conditions. Coating firms blend it into high-gloss, durable finishes for automotive and architectural markets. Adhesives with this diol outperform traditional resins in humid environments. Textile engineers reach for it to make softer, more resilient spandex and nylon yarns, crucial for modern performance wear. It also appears in lubricants, agrochemical formulations, and specialty inks. Every sector brings its own processing and purity demands, but the compound’s core benefits travel well across them all, giving it a footprint from factories to finished consumer goods.
Innovation never stands still. R&D teams aim to squeeze more sustainability, higher purity, and smarter performance from each batch of 1,6-hexanediol. Academic labs explore fermentation-based bio-production routes, betting that C6 feedstocks derived from sugar beet or corn can knock down fossil-carbon content and lower CO2 emissions. Other groups investigate catalysts that chop energy or pressure requirements, a key concern as the world pivots to low-carbon manufacturing. Application scientists in coatings and polymer labs keep pushing boundaries, searching for even better weather resistance and elastic recovery in advanced formulations. These trends show a field that values incremental improvement as much as the big leaps, and gives a window into how high-volume chemicals can change to match society’s values.
Toxicologists and environmental scientists track 1,6-hexanediol through cell studies, animal models, and field research. Acute exposures show low oral and dermal toxicity in rodents, which supports risk profiles for daily lab and industrial use. Chronic studies, including reproductive and teratology trials, have not found evidence of mutagenicity or carcinogenicity at exposure levels well above occupational limits. Still, the responsible approach calls for managing exposure by engineering controls and PPE, especially since irritation thresholds differ across populations. Ecotoxicity studies indicate limited aquatic effects due to rapid breakdown by soil and water microbes. Even as regulatory frameworks tighten, the evidence so far keeps this diol on the short-list of preferred intermediates where both effectiveness and health considerations cross paths.
The future for 1,6-hexanediol looks sharper and greener than its past. Producers scout for raw materials from renewable feedstocks full-time, betting that biosynthesis and waste-to-chemical approaches will cut dependence on oil and gas. Market trends point to expanding high-performance polyurethane sectors, especially as electronics, automotive, and consumer goods keep raising the bar for flexibility and resilience. Researchers dive into finer tailoring of molecular weight and end-group chemistry, chasing even tougher polyesters and more functional surface coatings. Regulatory changes and green chemistry principles shape every new product launch, so expect future plants to blend traditional expertise with digital tracking and process automation. If you work in materials science, following the arc of 1,6-hexanediol brings a sweeping view of how a single, reliable molecule keeps adapting to the complex needs of modern manufacturing and global trade.
At first glance, 1,6-Hexanediol (often shortened as HDO) looks just like many other chemicals in the industrial world. If you work anywhere near a lab or a production floor, odds are you’ve run into its distinctive, mildly sweet smell. What often gets overlooked is how many products and materials rely on this substance. As someone who has worked alongside manufacturers, I’ve watched how they depend on HDO to unlock possibilities in plastics, coatings, and adhesives.
HDO serves as a backbone for many items people use without giving it a thought. Companies use it heavily when synthesizing polyurethanes and polyesters. These polymers show up in places like car seats, flexible foam in couches, and coatings that protect wood floors and machinery. Without HDO, these materials would fall short in terms of durability, flexibility, and appearance.
What makes HDO stand out is the balance it brings—flexible enough for soft foam but tough enough for durable coatings. Polyurethanes made with HDO don’t just stop at furniture. Look inside running shoes or insulation panels; there’s a good chance HDO played a part in manufacturing the soles or thermal barriers. Polyester resins created with HDO end up in synthetic fibers for clothes and industrial textiles.
Walk into any modern building, and you'll spot glossy, tough coatings on floors, walls, or machinery. These finishes often trace back to HDO. Professionals in the coatings industry value HDO’s ability to enhance chemical resistance and flexibility. In printing, HDO has helped boost both the quality and longevity of inks. Packaging that looks vibrant on store shelves relies on specialty inks that fight off fading and smudging. HDO’s chemical structure delivers those properties, which helps products look fresh until the moment you open them.
Crafters and construction workers both need strong adhesives, especially those that handle heat, cold, and moisture. Whenever strength and longevity matter, adhesives built with HDO step in. I’ve spoken with manufacturers who credit HDO-based adhesives for stronger bonds that withstand daily wear. These adhesives bind everything from shoe soles to solar panel components, supporting industries as diverse as fashion and renewable energy.
Another trend I notice is the push toward greener chemistry. Makers of biodegradable plastics experiment with HDO in the search for new materials that balance strength, flexibility, and lower carbon footprints. Big brands want finished goods that hold up in real-world use while impacting the planet less. HDO presents opportunities in this area, but it also brings challenges. Since HDO production usually relies on fossil fuel-derived sources, the chemical sector faces pressure to clean up its supply chain.
Researchers are now exploring routes to make HDO from renewable feedstocks, instead of just petrochemicals. The hope is that in the coming years, bottles, textiles, and electronics could rely on HDO while shrinking dependence on oil. To get there, investment must flow into pilot projects, smart partnerships, and updating regulations that have lagged behind chemistry advancements. Those changes will take time, coordination, and a shared appetite for risk. In my experience, that shift works best when both large producers and smaller innovators pull together.
HDO rarely enters conversations outside the chemicals sector. Still, it touches more lives than most people realize. As the world pushes for smarter, cleaner products, the uses and production methods for HDO will keep evolving. Keeping an eye on this material offers a window into broader shifts happening across manufacturing, sustainability, and even consumer expectations.
Having spent years in the chemical sector, I’ve handled 1,6-Hexanediol (HDO) quite a bit. This compound, used in everything from polyester resins to coatings, has practical characteristics that set it apart. Looks-wise, most folks see a white, waxy solid at room temperature. If the storage space heats up past 42 degrees Celsius, the material melts and turns into a transparent liquid without leaving residue or strong odor. This low melting point means it’s easy to handle and transport for producers and manufacturers.
It dissolves well in water and alcohols. This property isn’t trivial. Water-solubility often determines whether certain reactions run smoothly or stall. In my experience, water-miscibility lets HDO blend seamlessly into aqueous formulations and polymer chains, which proves important for creating stable, durable products. Its boiling point sits around 250 degrees Celsius (at normal pressure), so it does not readily evaporate. This reduces vapor hazards and supports safe use in large-scale synthesis.
The function of 1,6-Hexanediol often comes down to its two terminal hydroxyl groups. Each molecule brings two reactive spots, and both allow HDO to form longer polymer chains. Every polyurethane mattress, toughened adhesive, or high-strength plastic using this diol typically banks on its ability to insert neatly into polymer backbones. These reactive spots show up in esterification, etherification, and other basic organic reactions. Chemists count on this because it simplifies molecular design, making it easier to predict properties of the final product.
The structure includes a six-carbon backbone, so you get flexibility and durability after polymerization. I’ve seen this firsthand in coatings that last through years of outdoor wear with little cracking. It resists oxidation under everyday conditions, which helps manufacturers avoid unwanted side reactions that eat up material and produce off-colors or smells. HDO doesn’t pose major risks during application if standard safety practice is followed—there’s little volatility, so inhalation risks stay low.
Focusing on sustainability, the market often wants materials that don’t linger in the environment for decades. HDO breaks down in nature at a moderate pace, especially with microbes, thanks to its biodegradable character. That helps manufacturers choose safer paths toward greener chemistry without sacrificing robustness in end products. I’ve noticed demand shifting for polyurethanes using this diol in building insulation, as regulations tighten around persistent pollutants.
Not all is solved by greener ingredients alone. Safety during handling still matters. If HDO gets on your skin, rinse it off; it can cause mild irritation, nothing dramatic but enough to keep gloves on. Firms stress safe storage, since exposure to open air over long periods can cause slight discoloration and degrade purity.
Manufacturers keep improving processes to use less solvent or energy, and HDO’s melting point supports this. Melting at moderate temperatures cuts energy needs for dissolving it into mixtures, lowering production costs and carbon footprints. Adopting better handling systems and consistent sourcing further limits quality swings batch to batch.
With sturdy chemical stability, high water solubility, and a well-understood reactivity profile, 1,6-Hexanediol looks set to remain a staple for industries aiming for high performance and efficiency. Every formulation tweak, every move toward sustainability, puts these physical and chemical traits right at the center of real-world decision-making.
1,6-Hexanediol looks harmless: a solid with a faint smell, used in paints, plastics, and coatings found across industries. Beneath that mild surface sits a chemical with risks worth some respect. Once, I thought storing such stuff meant putting the drum on any shelf in a corner. After seeing a container leak in a poorly ventilated closet—causing headaches and a panic among the team—I changed how I view “routine chemicals.” Storing this material calls for more than free space and a closed door.
This compound absorbs moisture. Give it warm, damp air, and it clumps or cakes, making it hard to measure out, and raising the risk of spills. Safe storage begins with a tight-sealing container—original packaging usually works best. Stock the drum at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and somewhere dry. Moisture messes with purity and shelf life, while too much heat or sunlight ramps up the chance of chemical changes. Usually, an indoor, well-ventilated storage room without temperature swings will do the job.
Skin and eye contact bring a stinging burn; breathing dust leads to coughing. Gloves—nitrile rather than cloth—block hand exposure. Goggles handle splashes. In workplaces I visited, the companies using full-length lab coats and face shields cut their accident rates to nearly zero. If dust escapes, a certified dust mask handles most airborne particles. Out in the field, I’ve seen busy workers skip these steps now and then to save time—every one of those shortcuts came back to cost someone later on.
Keep the chemical off the main footpath. Accidents often happen because someone hauls a heavy box across a crowded storeroom, hits a drum, or believes a small leak isn’t a big deal. Never use food or drink containers, and avoid transferring it by hand with open scoops; each transfer increases the odds of dust or drips getting where they shouldn’t.
Spills and fires rarely happen if you’re careful, but ignoring what can go wrong invites disaster. 1,6-Hexanediol burns if it meets flame or a spark, though it doesn’t ignite easily. Keep it apart from strong acids, oxidizers, and bases. The time an engineer stored a box of organic peroxide next to our diol mix at a small catalyst plant nearly resulted in a fire—fast thinking and a chemical database saved us.
Always label storage clearly, both for emergency crews and for rushed coworkers who grab containers in a hurry. Post emergency information where a spill is most likely. Stock dry sand or absorbent pads nearby so cleanup doesn’t turn into a scramble. Wash affected skin right away under cool water for fifteen minutes. Don’t trust luck; trust the emergency shower. If it gets in your eyes, flush with water, skip the office first aid kit, and find medical help.
Regulations from OSHA and the EU REACH program put strict guidelines in place for workplace storage, use, and labeling—rules written in legal language but rooted in lessons paid for with real accidents. Training is key. I walked into a paint plant last year and saw new hires run through hands-on drills for spill response. It stuck with them much longer than a safety video or a thick printed manual.
Adopting a real culture of respect around chemicals means not just following the rules on day one, but making careful handling a habit. Simple steps—checking containers each week, keeping detailed logs, and rewarding those who keep storage areas tidy—help avoid the kinds of emergencies that can close a shop or derail a project.
Walk into a factory making coatings, glues, or even polyurethane plastics, and 1,6-hexanediol probably plays a part. Chemists like the stuff for its ability to make products flexible, long-lasting, and glossy. In the past decade, I’ve watched manufacturers praise its versatility. Its handy molecular structure lets engineers fine-tune everything from car bumpers to hot-melt adhesives.
Safety goggles and gloves are not optional in settings where 1,6-hexanediol flows through pipes or gets poured into mixers. Direct skin contact may lead to irritation, redness, or rashes in some people. Accidental splashes in the eyes hurt and, in some rare cases, cause swelling. If the powdered form hangs in the air, breathing it can tickle the airways or give workers a cough. I remember one batch plant having new workers sneezing and complaining of sore throats after a spill that wasn’t cleaned up promptly.
Toxicology studies suggest acute risks come from frequent or prolonged exposure. Swallowing large amounts is dangerous—and could damage organs. Safety data sheets say to wash thoroughly and treat spills right away, just like with any industrial chemical. In the U.S., federal agencies have not classified 1,6-hexanediol as a carcinogen, but require hazard communication and proper labeling.
Most of the 1,6-hexanediol out there ends up bound in finished products. Still, factory wastewater sometimes carries trace residues, especially in places lacking modern treatment systems. Research shows it breaks down slowly in water, especially without plenty of oxygen. I’ve seen cases in local rivers near chemical plants where fish populations dropped or invertebrates thinned out. Scientists traced some of these cases back to run-off of production chemicals, not just 1,6-hexanediol but its cousins, too.
Chronic exposure for aquatic life remains a concern. Small amounts seem harmless, but bigger spills mean bigger risks. Bioaccumulation hasn't been a major problem compared to heavy metals or certain solvents, but monitoring has to keep up. European and American agencies collect regular discharge samples and punish careless dumping. Places without strong regulators may see water quality drop.
No industry works in a vacuum. Using safer equipment, training workers, and developing closed systems all cut down spills. Companies that replaced open mixing tanks with sealed reactors saw both exposure and operating costs drop. Waste treatment improvements matter, too. I’ve witnessed wastewater plants that add extra aeration to help microbes break down leftover diols. These places discharge cleaner water and face less scrutiny from environmental groups.
Green chemistry isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Research labs are testing plant-based alternatives and biodegradable molecules with similar properties. So far, nobody’s found a perfect substitute for all uses, but progress is real. Public pressure pushes companies to show results. Better labeling, disclosure of accident reports, and stricter enforcement tighten up the weakest links.
Making products with 1,6-hexanediol confers real industrial benefits. Still, everyone along the supply chain carries a duty to keep workers and ecosystems safe. Worker training, up-to-date personal protective gear, good engineering, and honest spill reporting prevent harm. Water sampling and open communication with local communities turn what could be just another pollutant into a managed risk. Choosing safer alternatives wherever possible edges both industry and society closer to a healthier future.
Every time I’ve walked through the warehouse of a chemical plant, the packaging of materials stands out as much as the machinery humming in the background. For 1,6-Hexanediol, drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) serve as the common vessels for transport and storage. Steel drums, typically holding 200 kg, give solid protection against bumps, moisture, and accidental exposure. IBCs come into play for larger orders, because they help cut down on transfer time and reduce packaging waste. Companies working with smaller amounts will sometimes use high-density polyethylene containers to keep things manageable and safe, especially if they don’t cycle through stock at a blistering pace.
Storing chemicals isn’t just about convenience. Improper packaging causes real losses—anyone who’s seen a leaking drum in a hot warehouse knows the stakes. Moisture gets in through poorly sealed lids or damaged packaging, and that slowly chips away at product quality. Both steel drums and IBCs, if well-kept in dry, indoor conditions away from sunlight, keep 1,6-Hexanediol stable and usable for its intended applications.
People often ask, “How long does this last?” Anything that’s heading for use in coatings or as a building block for polyurethanes must meet strict criteria throughout storage. Manufacturers usually put the shelf life of 1,6-Hexanediol right at two years, assuming that it stays in sealed, original containers at room temperature. I’ve watched labs reject batches stored outside these conditions. Even the best chemical can fall short if humidity sneaks in or containers aren’t shut tightly after sampling.
Oxidation poses a subtle but steady threat, especially if container seals start to loosen with frequent opening. Over time, quality checks become essential. Most places monitoring quality check for changes in melting point, color, and any foreign odors. If a drum sits untouched but looks compromised, transparency from the supplier makes a difference—no one wants to use flawed material in a high-stakes application.
Working hands-on taught me that diligence is the best safeguard in chemical storage. Routine inspections, clear dating of every package, and thoughtful rotation can prevent most shelf life issues. Adding silica gel or other desiccants, though simple, gives another layer of protection in humid climates.
If something ever seems off, reaching out to the supplier instead of making assumptions often uncovers practical advice or lab recommendations. In practice, traceability of every container—keeping those records up-to-date—can head off compliance headaches later.
It always comes back to how information gets shared. Training staff about safe handling reduces spills and accidental exposure, and periodic reviews of packaging integrity flag small issues before they grow. Regular investment in better warehouse ventilation and clear labeling does more than satisfy a checklist—it maintains the quality that every downstream use depends on.
So much of packaging and shelf life isn’t just about what’s written in a technical data sheet. It comes down to the practical steps taken every day to store, check, and move containers—real habits in real workplaces, built on lessons learned from every batch that’s passed through. Without that, even the best material won’t last as long as it could.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Hexane-1,6-diol |
| Other names |
Hexamethylene glycol
1,6-Dihydroxyhexane HDO |
| Pronunciation | /ˈhɛk.sənˌdaɪ.ɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 629-11-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1720294 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:16643 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1279678 |
| ChemSpider | 14421 |
| DrugBank | DB14160 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03d0d833-47ef-4bb2-947e-1c6e69edc3f9 |
| EC Number | 203-807-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | 1201322 |
| KEGG | C06516 |
| MeSH | D06.472.699.631.445 |
| PubChem CID | 8077 |
| RTECS number | MO0650000 |
| UNII | 18FW7N2N6V |
| UN number | UN2285 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID0028095 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H14O2 |
| Molar mass | 118.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.96 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | miscible |
| log P | 0.77 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.01 mmHg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.96 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 1.10 (pKb) |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -8.1×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4500 |
| Viscosity | 21 mPa·s (at 20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.56 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 315.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -588.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3543 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P370+P378 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1 1 0 |
| Flash point | 127 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 385 °C |
| Explosive limits | 3.9–23%(V) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 20700 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral-rat: 2500 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | SGC |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for 1,6-Hexanediol (HDO) is not specifically established by OSHA. |
| REL (Recommended) | 50 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Hexanediol
1,2-Hexanediol 1,3-Hexanediol 2,5-Hexanediol 1,4-Butanediol 1,8-Octanediol |
