Chemists have worked with diols for over a century, but 1,7-Heptanediol started catching attention in the second half of the 1900s as companies looked for longer-chain diols for custom polymers. Early production methods often lacked selectivity, leading to mixtures and limited use outside specialty labs. As catalytic hydrogenation improved and chemical manufacturing scaled up, researchers found 1,7-Heptanediol’s structure—a seven-carbon, straight-chain diol—offered unique features compared to shorter or branched peers. Since then, industrial interest has grown, especially in coatings and plastics that require flexible intermediates.
1,7-Heptanediol, often abbreviated as HPO, serves as a specialty chemical in a range of manufacturing processes. Unlike common glycols, HPO brings a hydrophobic backbone with terminal hydroxyl groups to the table. This gives it versatility in modifying polymers, surfactants, and advanced coatings. Its balance of water solubility at one end and oil compatibility at the other makes it attractive for formulating performance materials. Prices have fluctuated as global chemical supply chains expand to meet custom requirements.
Solid at moderate temperatures, 1,7-Heptanediol melts between 36°C to 41°C. It dissolves slightly in water but mixes well with alcohols and some organic solvents. The compound carries a faint, sweet odor—much milder than similar glycols—and forms colorless, waxy crystals in pure form. With a boiling point of around 253°C at standard pressure and low volatility, HPO maintains stability during high-temperature processes. It resists common acids and bases but reacts in the presence of strong oxidizers.
Industrial suppliers ship HPO as solid pellets or prills, sealed from moisture. Labeling typically follows GHS standards, listing the IUPAC name (heptane-1,7-diol), a CAS number (629-30-1), hazard warnings where relevant, and purity that often exceeds 98%. Manufacturers provide safety data sheets that outline handling instructions and recommended storage conditions—usually cool, dry, and away from oxidizing materials. Analytical specifications include melting range, moisture content, and residual catalyst levels from synthesis.
Industry mainly prepares 1,7-Heptanediol by catalytic hydrogenation of suberic or pimelic acid esters. Chemical engineers often rely on ruthenium- or nickel-based catalysts, operating under moderate pressure and temperatures above 150°C. After hydrogen addition, purification steps include distillation and crystallization to achieve technical or reagent-grade product. Ongoing research tweaks synthetic routes to reduce byproducts, improve atom economy, and minimize waste. Occasionally, makers explore biotechnological approaches using engineered microbes, but scaling challenges remain.
HPO’s two hydroxyl groups work as nucleation points for polymerization or cross-linking. Chemists use it for synthesizing polyurethanes, polyesters, and even select surfactants. The compound undergoes straightforward esterification or etherification, depending on desired end-use. Epoxidation or selective oxidation of one end yields new intermediates ripe for specialty syntheses. Custom additives often target improved flexibility, elasticity, or UV resistance in the final material, driven by HPO’s length and functionality.
Beyond the IUPAC designation, names like heptane-1,7-diol, 1,7-dihydroxyheptane, and dipropyl glycol appear in commercial and academic literature. Some catalogs list product codes tied to synthesis origin or application, such as “polyol 7:2.” End users rarely see trade names, as most formulations keep HPO behind proprietary blends or product recipes.
Working with 1,7-Heptanediol involves standard precautions for organic solids. Inhalation risk remains low, but dust can irritate mucous membranes. Skin contact warrants gloves or barrier creams due to mild irritant potential, though it rarely triggers severe reactions. Fire hazard stays minimal; the flashpoint lies above typical ambient temperatures. Facilities emphasize proper ventilation and containment, supported by spill procedures that involve sweeping solids and washing residues with water. Disposal follows local regulatory rules on organic compounds.
Polymer and resin manufacturing form the backbone of HPO applications. Companies working on high-flexibility polyurethanes for foams and elastomers routinely rely on its unique spacing between hydroxyl sites. Adhesives and sealants with moisture resistance often list HPO among their key building blocks. Specialty inks, lubricants, and textile coatings feed off the compound’s subtle hydrophobicity and chemical reactivity. Formulators in cosmetics and hair care occasionally incorporate low-level HPO in conditioning bases, though alternatives dominate in personal care.
Recent years have seen a surge of studies exploring more sustainable production methods. Chemists pursue bio-based feedstocks and greener catalysts to lessen the environmental footprint. Analytical chemists keep refining purity standards using advanced chromatography and spectroscopy tools. A growing body of literature documents HPO’s behavior as a chain extender in new polymer blends, which could drive advances in automotive, medical, and electronic materials. Researchers in academia frequently assess structure-property relationships, screening HPO’s role alongside other diols to tune physicochemical properties.
Toxicologists have run acute and chronic exposure studies, generally reporting low toxicity for 1,7-Heptanediol by ingestion or skin contact. Laboratory animals showed few adverse effects at moderate doses, though long-term studies remain limited. Environmental persistence draws ongoing scrutiny; some degradation occurs in soil and water, especially under aerobic conditions. Safety files point out minimal mutagenic or carcinogenic risk, but call for prudent handling, especially in settings with children or food contact potential. Regulations from agencies like the EPA and REACH require ongoing review as usage patterns evolve.
Market dynamics for 1,7-Heptanediol keep shifting with industrial demand for specialty polymers and custom chemicals. Bio-based synthesis sits on the horizon, promising a cost-competitive, lower-impact alternative to petroleum routes. As sustainable chemistry standards tighten, companies face incentives to refine waste reduction and improve catalyst recovery. Research into smart coatings, recyclable plastics, and medical-grade materials signals a broadening future for the compound. Tracking HPO’s journey from lab curiosity to industrial staple teaches the value of persistence, creative problem-solving, and keeping an eye on both chemical performance and broader impacts.
1,7-Heptanediol draws little attention outside labs and factories, but its reach stretches through many products people touch daily. Chemists usually mention it as HPO, a molecule with a seven-carbon backbone and a couple of alcohol groups at each end. This unique structure unlocks a floodgate of industrial uses—nothing flashy, just a quiet workhorse tucked into bottles, paints, foams, and even things as simple as cleaning wipes.
The plastics in our homes, cars, and offices do not just form themselves. They start from small molecules, linked up into long chains. HPO steps in as a team player in this process. Manufacturers grab it for making polyesters and polyurethanes. These plastics can mean anything from spongy couch cushions to sturdy dashboards. Some days, I help friends choose furniture, and a quick glance at a product label shows how chemistry steers comfort: resilient, flexible foams last longer and stand up to daily wear because of molecules like HPO stitched inside.
Paints and coatings rely on binders that cling to surfaces, hold up against scrubbing, and dodge yellowing from sunlight. The backbone of certain binders comes from diols such as HPO. It brings flexibility, so surfaces resist chipping or cracking. Even in humid climates where I once struggled to keep paint from peeling, coatings with stronger backbone molecules made a visible difference—less flaking and touch-up work. Modern research backs this up, showing that HPO-based resins stand out in resistance tests and hold color longer, cutting maintenance costs over years instead of months.
Green chemistry gathers steam as more companies ditch harsh solvents for alternatives with better safety profiles. HPO adds value here as well. It shows up in surfactants, meaning cleaners that mix oil and water or lift stains. Some eco-friendly floor and window cleaners score high marks for biodegradability and gentleness, thanks in part to alcohol-based building blocks like HPO. These products can wash down the drain without driving up concerns about water toxicity or long-term persistence in the environment. The CDC and EPA continue to track cleaning agents closely—safer chemistry remains a top priority for industry leaders and watchdogs alike.
Production at scale always comes with hurdles. Sourcing raw materials for HPO that don’t drain fossil reserves or rack up tons of carbon emissions matters. Some researchers look at bio-based routes, spinning HPO from renewable feedstocks, such as plant oils or waste from agriculture. These methods take pressure off traditional petrochemical supply chains, which can choke when prices spike or natural disasters hit refineries. In conversations with engineers in the field, the push for circular processes grows louder every year. Shifting suppliers, testing new catalysts—steps like these edge chemistry toward greener, lower-impact manufacturing.
It’s easy to get lost in complex names and shelf labels claiming “advanced polymers” or “innovative resins.” Underneath the buzz, real improvements in durability, safety, and sustainability trace back to foundational molecules. 1,7-Heptanediol rarely gets the spotlight. Still, it sits in the guts of resilient consumer products, helps coatings last, and brings safer cleaning chemistry into homes. People rarely notice the link between their favorite products and industrial chemistry, but it anchors the choices companies make every step of the way.
Every time you open a container of 1,7-Heptanediol, it greets you with a waxy, white, solid texture. Folks in laboratories or manufacturing plants often tell me how the stuff looks a lot like a chunk of wax—not especially dramatic, but it has a crucial role in so many products. At room temperature, this material hangs onto its solid form, only melting away as you warm it past 45-50°C. Picture a small ceramic cup sitting on a hotplate: That solid chunk starts to sweat, then liquefies fast. The smell isn’t sharp or particularly memorable, which means it doesn’t stink up spaces where people need to focus.
Out in the real world, handling this compound doesn’t demand much apart from basic protection—standard gloves and safety glasses do the trick. It dissolves well in water, which makes it a favorite in certain chemical mixes where you don’t want your ingredients separating or settling. This property helps companies create smooth, consistent products, especially in personal care and coatings. The solid also feels slick between your fingers, a lot like lanolin or paraffin if you’ve ever touched raw cosmetic materials.
Its structure matters. The molecule has a straight chain of seven carbon atoms, with one alcohol group waiting at each end. Chemists call it a primary diol because both -OH groups live at the tips of the chain. This design adds flexibility. Each -OH group swings into action during reactions, letting manufacturers bolster plasticizers, resins, and lubricants with 1,7-Heptanediol.
I’ve seen how the two -OH groups enable strong hydrogen bonds. This property boosts its solubility in water and also helps it mix with glycols and some polar solvents. The molecule doesn’t love oil as much—a key factor if someone aims to suspend or dissolve it in nonpolar solutions. If you heat it hard enough, decomposition starts above 200°C, which means you have to control processes carefully to avoid unwanted changes. Anyone considering large-scale heating or mixing learns quickly not to push the temperature too far.
Most consumers never see 1,7-Heptanediol directly, but products like adhesives, coatings, and even skincare often rely on it. Flexibility in formulation comes from its dual -OH groups. In my work with chemists developing new polymers, we used the compound to increase the length of soft, rubbery segments in polyurethanes. This tweak improved softness or elasticity, which people expect from high-end foams and sealants.
Out in the field, I’ve watched how this compound lowers the crystallization temperature in blends—making finished goods less brittle in the cold. Think outdoor sealants in winter. By participating in esterification and etherification, the molecule lets manufacturers add other specialty chemicals, broadening the range of end uses. It doesn’t catch fire easily, either, as its flash point sits far above room temperature. That adds a safety cushion for shipping and storage, reducing risk for logistics teams.
1,7-Heptanediol brings benefits, but safe handling always matters. Short-term exposure to skin or eyes causes irritation, so routine gloves and eye protection go a long way. Airborne dust, though rare, should be avoided. Facilities updating their processes often seek engineering controls to keep contact low. Process engineers and safety managers champion these upgrades, but discussions often come back to training. Strong training beats most gadgets—teaching workers how to move, measure, store, and clean up reduces risk everywhere.
As industrial needs shift, some look for greener manufacturing. Sourcing sustainable feedstocks and using low-waste synthesis routes could lower the environmental cost of producing this diol. My own experience shows companies gain public trust by proving their supply chain cares for the environment. The challenge centers on cost and scalability, but continued research and collaboration offer pathways forward.
1,7-Heptanediol often helps create polymers and serves as an intermediate for specialty chemicals. Its sweet smell can be deceiving. Those who work with it regularly know small spills can become a skin or eye irritation problem fast. Ignoring a sticky floor or an unlabeled bottle has caused bigger headaches in labs and warehouses than most folks care to admit.
Too much heat or sunlight pushes many chemicals to break down or react unexpectedly, and 1,7-Heptanediol is no different. I always store this chemical in a tightly-sealed container at room temperature—below 30°C is best. Open shelving far from direct sunlight works if there’s solid air movement and away from any ignition source. Strong odors drift quickly, so keeping the bottle sealed prevents smells and contamination.
Water and moisture inside a container can degrade 1,7-Heptanediol. Once, moisture ruined an entire batch for us, forcing a costly disposal. Humidity control might take a simple jar of desiccant placed nearby, or better yet, a sealed cabinet reserved for diols. Label every container with the chemical name, concentration, hazard symbols, and the date of opening. Skipping these steps only makes tracking hazards trickier weeks later.
People get too comfortable with routine, skipping gloves or safety glasses. That’s how rashes, accidental splashes, and worse occur. I always suit up in nitrile gloves—not latex, since diols can sometimes slip through thin latex. Safety glasses matter. Chemical-resistant aprons or lab coats complete the shield; 1,7-Heptanediol doesn’t burn like acids, but it can still irritate skin and eyes or stain clothes.
Many shops discover too late that poor ventilation causes repeated headaches and burning eyes. Chemical fume hoods or at least a good exhaust fan become essential. A simple box fan pointing outdoors lets vapors escape. Years ago, a forgotten container left open overnight in a warm storeroom stunk up half the building—reminding us once again that airflow saves time spent dealing with complaints.
Any spill deserves fast attention—paper towels won’t cut it. Absorbent pads or granules pick up liquid, but never sweep or vacuum up 1,7-Heptanediol crystals dry. Solids get slippery fast, and dry vapors can irritate.
Disposing of this chemical isn’t as easy as rinsing it down the drain. Local guidelines often demand collection in labeled, dedicated waste drums. Years back, a colleague dumped a bottle in the sink, only to clog drains and face an official investigation. Hazardous waste pickup, though more effort, avoids such trouble and protects local water supplies.
No safety equipment can replace the common sense that comes from good training. Early in my career, I worked with a mentor who drilled routine into us—always read the label, always recap the bottle, never rush. Effective safety culture comes from repeating these habits, correcting mistakes fast, and keeping the conversation open about what’s working and what isn’t. Industry databases and MSDS sheets provide facts, but real safety comes from building these steps into daily work. Safer storage and careful handling do more than shield against irritation—they keep days routine and everyone out of harm’s way.
1,7-Heptanediol comes with a pretty straightforward formula: C7H16O2. The name tells you a lot—it's a straight-chain compound, seven carbon atoms long, two alcohol groups anchoring each end at carbon number one and carbon number seven. Lay it out and you get HO–(CH2)7–OH. Simple, but this little molecule carries some quiet power because of its structure.
Stretch 1,7-Heptanediol under the microscope, and you see two –OH groups, one at each end. This duality gives it a sort of chemical "grip." You can link it into longer chains. Chemists in the field use that grip to build polyesters and polyurethanes, both essential for making flexible plastics and foams. Without the symmetry or clean spacing of the hydroxyl groups, you end up with messy reactions and unreliable polymers. In my own experiments getting polyester resins to cure properly, picking a diol with the right structure is half the battle. 1,7-Heptanediol brings predictable, reliable results, something factories really do care about. No one wants a batch of foam that won’t set right.
Step outside the chemistry lab, and the stakes get a little bigger. Industries rely on specialty diols like this to tweak properties—flexibility, water resistance, strength—down to the molecular level. With 1,7-Heptanediol, the odd number of carbons gives just the right amount of backbone length for making soft, flexible plasticizers or tough-while-soft polyurethanes, particularly those you find in athletic shoes and industrial insulation. I have seen teams fret over sourcing and purity because poor quality diols bring unwanted odors, or worse, inconsistent performance in finished products.
There’s also a safety angle most people don’t see. Compared to aromatic diols, which can produce toxic byproducts, 1,7-Heptanediol scores higher on the green chemistry scorecard. It’s less likely to form harmful breakdown products during processing and disposal. Anyone working with final goods that people wear, sit on, or touch values this kind of peace of mind. Files full of regulatory forms and years of product safety data taught me that even a small shift in molecular structure can head off big environmental headaches down the line.
No molecule is perfect. Purity remains a hurdle—impurities make for failed reactions, especially at the industrial scale. Producers have leaned on better distillation and filtration. Sourcing raw materials from renewable routes, such as bio-based synthesis using sugar-derived feedstocks, helps bring the environmental cost down another notch. That lines up with what customers and regulators expect these days. There is also a push for closed-loop recycling of polyesters made using 1,7-Heptanediol, keeping materials cycling instead of ending up in landfills.
In the end, the straightforward structure of 1,7-Heptanediol—seven carbons, two alcohol groups—offers a broad reach. Reliable chemistry, plus steady innovation from everyone involved, keeps this compound at work in products people use every day. Chemistry like this shapes not just plastics, but the choices manufacturers and families make year after year.
1,7-Heptanediol stands out among industrial chemicals for its use in plastics, resins, and coatings. You see it in factories, research labs, and scattered across supply chains that feed into manufacturing everything from cars to furniture. Every time we talk about chemicals like this, the question of risk bubbles up fast. Folks working near it want to know: What am I breathing in? Will it affect my health? What happens after it gets washed down the drain?
Most information we have comes from workplace safety data and a handful of toxicology assessments. If you’re handling 1,7-Heptanediol in an industrial setting, your biggest concerns come from inhaling vapors or getting the liquid on your skin. Official materials handling guidance points to mild irritation—a rash, red skin, or sore eyes—if not wearing proper gloves or goggles. So far, nobody links it to cancer or lasting organ damage in the workplace, at least not in documented cases worldwide. The National Library of Medicine, which tracks incidents and research, doesn’t list any cases of acute poisoning or significant human health scares linked just to this stuff.
People who manufacture or process 1,7-Heptanediol do use ventilation systems and personal protective equipment, just like they do for many other alcohol-based compounds. Chemical engineers I know put it in the same category as propylene glycol—a substance most people know best from hand sanitizers and cosmetics. That’s not to say it’s perfectly safe, but workers aren’t seeing unique health complaints tied to it.
One area we can't ignore is what happens to the environment when companies dispose of or release 1,7-Heptanediol. Studies from environmental agencies show it breaks down fairly well in water and soil. Microorganisms can process the compound, turning it into carbon dioxide and water. Compared to heavy metals or long-lived pesticides, this chemical doesn’t hang around for years causing trouble. There’s little evidence of it building up in fish or plants the way some persistent pollutants do. The European Chemicals Agency gives it a pretty low concern rating for bioaccumulation.
Still, dumping raw chemical waste isn’t a free pass. Waterways shouldn’t be a dumping ground, no matter how fast something degrades. Municipal wastewater treatment plants usually handle small to moderate releases without trouble, but large spills can stress the system and harm aquatic life in the short term. The law steps in at that point. Regulators check discharge permits and fine operators who let spills get out of hand. In my own state, regular audits at industrial sites keep companies honest.
Practical steps keep people safe—clear labeling on drums, gloves and goggles, a working fume hood, and spill cleanup training. Companies already fall under safety rules like OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, so the basics get covered. Chemical suppliers offer clear safety data sheets, and smart users read them. Shop-floor workers, including some I’ve spoken with, bring up skin and eye irritation now and then but don’t report severe health problems that linger.
Some questions still need deeper study—like precise environmental exposure data near heavy users, or what decades of chronic low-level skin contact might do. Researchers chase certainty, but for now, the risks seem lower than with many industrial solvents and monomers. Good practice and tight oversight matter more than alarmist headlines. Better monitoring and reporting will help spot early warning signs if problems do surface down the road.
The takeaway: with respect and routine care, 1,7-Heptanediol fits in with other chemicals we use every day. Treat it carelessly, and there’s trouble. Respect the rules, and the risks stay manageable.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | heptane-1,7-diol |
| Other names |
1,7-Dihydroxyheptane
Heptane-1,7-diol |
| Pronunciation | /ˌwʌnˌsɛv.ənˈhɛp.təˌnaɪ.ˌdiː.ɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 629-30-1 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1691267 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:16136 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL16230 |
| ChemSpider | 14212 |
| DrugBank | DB08229 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03e21110805a-46ee-4597-9db8-77e97fb2ff89 |
| EC Number | 203-802-5 |
| Gmelin Reference | 17419 |
| KEGG | C06321 |
| MeSH | D006512 |
| PubChem CID | 8078 |
| RTECS number | MI3856000 |
| UNII | ZM8A8Z452Z |
| UN number | 2810 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C7H16O2 |
| Molar mass | 132.23 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.955 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.) |
| Solubility in water | Soluble |
| log P | 0.8 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.01 hPa (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.55 |
| Basicity (pKb) | “5.96” |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.7·10⁻⁶ |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.443 |
| Viscosity | 120 mPa.s (20℃) |
| Dipole moment | 2.67 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 324.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -430.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4090.0 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | Not assigned |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1,1,0 |
| Flash point | 124°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 250°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 20700 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (Oral, Rat): 20700 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | YV3150000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.5 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
1,5-Pentanediol
1,6-Hexanediol 1,8-Octanediol 2,7-Heptanediol |
