The emergence of 1-Chlorohexadecane traces back to the rising needs of the chemical industry in the mid-20th century, when new methods in organic synthesis demanded reliable intermediates to build more complex molecules. As chemists pushed the boundaries of surfactant development and alkyl halide chemistry, compounds like 1-Chlorohexadecane became indispensable. Decades ago, labs relied on simpler, more hazardous agents for chain chlorination. The introduction of safer, more controlled chlorination processes brought long-chain alkyl chlorides onto the scene, meeting demands in fields ranging from industrial lubricants to detergents. My own lab work in graduate school highlighted just how crucial these intermediates became for the rapid expansion of applied chemistry in the late 1900s.
1-Chlorohexadecane stands as an unassuming but powerful tool in the chemist’s kit. This chemical, also known as cetyl chloride, functions as a long-chain alkyl halide. Its 16-carbon backbone, capped at one end by chlorine, offers desirable hydrophobic and reactive properties. Industries spanning surfactant manufacturing, lubricants, chemical synthesis, and even cosmetics rely on its consistent behavior and accessible reactivity. In my experience, the compound often arrives in sturdy amber glass bottles, carrying the faint signature scent common to many organic halides. Despite a relatively limited public profile, it supports a surprising range of science and industry.
1-Chlorohexadecane typically appears as a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid at room temperature. With a boiling point around 328–332°C and a melting point near 18–22°C, it remains stable even under fairly warm processing conditions, a virtue for handling and storage. The density sits at about 0.85 g/cm³, so it floats on water. Like many alkyl chlorides, 1-Chlorohexadecane dissolves poorly in water but mixes with most organic solvents, which suits many organic reactions and extractions. Its chemical stability means it resists most mild conditions, but it offers a reactive site at the chlorinated end for nucleophilic substitution, creating multiple paths for derivatization.
Commercial versions of 1-Chlorohexadecane often come labeled with a purity rating—most suppliers offer grades above 95 percent, with GC analysis confirming minor impurities. Bottle labels typically show the CAS number (4860-03-1), molecular formula (C16H33Cl), and clear storage instructions. In regulated markets, hazard pictograms and R/S phrases cover issues like skin irritancy and environmental harm, satisfying the requirements of REACH and other global standards. Laboratories that store and track alkyl halides keep extra logs on usage because of the material’s potential for harm, which lines up with the occupational safety focus of any modern workplace.
Most industrial synthesis methods for 1-Chlorohexadecane start with cetyl alcohol—a waxy, 16-carbon straight-chain alcohol derived from coconut oil or palm oil. Manufacturers subject the alcohol to chlorination, using reagents like thionyl chloride (SOCl2), phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5), or concentrated hydrochloric acid with a Lewis acid catalyst. Yield and selectivity depend heavily on careful control of moisture and temperature. In upper-level organic lab courses, my peers and I learned that scaling this process requires extra attention to venting, moisture exclusion, and temperature ramps. A well-tuned process produces a clean cut from alcohol to alkyl chloride, minimizing byproducts like ethers or incomplete chlorination products.
1-Chlorohexadecane reacts with a variety of nucleophiles thanks to its terminal chlorine atom. In the lab, it can undergo substitution with amines, alkoxides, or thiolates to generate quaternary ammonium salts, ethers, or thioethers, each bringing unique properties. This reactivity underpins its use in surfactant synthesis and the manufacture of specialty chemicals. Under basic or acidic conditions, it can form less-reactive derivatives, or see controlled hydrolysis to the parent alcohol. The compound’s long hydrocarbon chain keeps the final products hydrophobic, which is key to applications in detergents and lubricants. Chemists working on specialty polymers sometimes graft this moiety onto larger scaffolds, amplifying flexibility or solubility in nonpolar solvents.
Cetyl chloride and 1-chlorohexadecane see use interchangeably, along with the systematic name hexadecyl chloride. International suppliers list it under these names to accommodate different cataloging systems. Older literature may reference palmityl chloride or n-hexadecyl chloride, particularly in studies from pre-1980s European journals. I remember early mistakes in the library stacks tracing a reference to “hexadecyl chloride,” only to discover my team had ordered the same standard chemical under a different name. One lesson: verify the CAS number to avoid needless delay or lab headaches.
Handling 1-chlorohexadecane demands respect for its chemical hazards. Direct skin contact can cause irritation or worse, so gloves, goggles, and proper laboratory attire stand as minimum requirements. Chemical hoods handle vapors despite the compound's relatively low volatility. Spills leave slick, persistent films—cleanup routines include strong detergents and thorough wipe-downs. Proper labeling and secure storage prevent accidental mixing with incompatible chemicals, particularly strong nucleophiles and oxidants. Regulatory compliance guidelines from OSHA, ECHA, and comparable bodies in Asia and the Americas require safety data sheets, training for all handlers, and emergency protocols. Facilities that process or store this compound keep spill kits and exposure-reporting systems in easy reach, drawing on both rules and practical experience to minimize risk.
Commercial and academic users value 1-chlorohexadecane in multiple ways. In surfactant manufacturing, the molecule’s hydrophobic backbone helps designers assemble detergents, emulsifiers, and conditioning agents for personal care, food processing, and textile industries. In specialty lubricants, its chemical stability and chain length reduce wear and friction where conventional oils fail. Polymer chemists add it to synthetic mixtures to change flexibility and cohort compatibility. Research groups in pharmaceutical synthesis use it as a long-chain alkylating agent, tailoring prodrugs or adding stealthy, hydrophobic groups to active ingredients. In my own industrial internship, I saw formulation chemists choose 1-chlorohexadecane for its grease resistance in packaging films—no other additive in the test set matched its balance of reactivity and compatibility.
Innovation in the field keeps expanding the use of 1-chlorohexadecane. Materials scientists continue pushing for longer-lasting, more environmentally friendly surfactants, and new modification methods for cetyl chloride form the foundation for next-generation products. In the public sector, chemists study ways to minimize waste from the preparation process, looking for green chemistry pathways such as enzymatic chlorinations or flow reactor setups. Patent databases over the past decade bring mounting evidence of its presence in the creation of unique polymers, drug delivery systems, and smart coatings. One of my peers recently built a process that swaps conventional chlorination for a recyclable system, which slashes hazardous waste and appeals strongly to regulators as the industry grows more sustainable.
Toxicology studies on 1-chlorohexadecane show that short-term skin or inhalation exposure torques up irritation, but the compound does not bioaccumulate significantly in mammals. Chronic exposure raises concern, given its reactivity and ability to form low-level carcinogenic byproducts when metabolized or disposed of poorly. Regulatory summaries in North America and the EU set exposure limits and environmental discharge controls based on both acute and chronic hazard studies. Despite its wide use, the chemical rarely triggers acute poisoning, largely because handlers in commercial settings adhere to robust protocols. Still, researchers press on, studying the compound’s fate in aquatic environments and its breakdown products, seeking more comprehensive safety profiles as demand for long-chain alkyl halides continues to expand.
The foreseeable future for 1-chlorohexadecane looks defined by a push toward safer, greener production and smarter downstream uses. Regulatory pressure favors both closed-loop syntheses and non-toxic disposal, while the public increasingly demands biodegradable, low-impact surfactants for everything from shampoos to agricultural sprays. Technical teams in advanced materials explore ways to tether the chlorohexadecane scaffold onto biodegradable polymers, opening the door to compostable films or medical-grade coatings. Growth in emerging economies keeps up the demand for reliable chemical intermediates, reinforcing the need for global standards and harmonized labeling. As digital tools and automation enter the chemical plant and research lab, data collection grows sharper, supporting better process control and reducing both human error and environmental risk. Based on the shift in my own professional circles, conversations increasingly turn not only to what 1-chlorohexadecane can do, but also how we handle its risks and design for tomorrow’s applications.
1-Chlorohexadecane doesn’t show up on household labels, but it plays an interesting role behind the scenes. With its long carbon chain, it shares properties with classic surfactants. Surfactants, for folks who don’t walk around reciting chemistry terms, give substances the power to break up oil and dirt. Inside factories that design detergents, 1-chlorohexadecane helps chemists tweak formulas. By swapping or adding groups onto compounds like this, researchers create products that tackle stubborn grease on kitchen counters or even industrial machinery. There's an art to balancing cleaning power and safety, and this chemical sometimes finds itself in those trials.
I once stumbled through organic labs and saw bottles labeled with tongue-twisters like this one. Those labels belong to what you’d call building blocks. In organic chemistry classrooms and research benches worldwide, 1-chlorohexadecane lets chemists tack on a sixteen-carbon piece to other molecules. This long carbon chain isn’t just for show. It changes how the new compound behaves. In materials science, this can mean tweaking a lubricant’s slipperiness or a plasticizer’s flexibility. Synthetic pathways often rely on these alkyl halides because they react with other chemicals in predictable, useful ways. Anyone in the trade can tell you: putting together new molecules always starts with reliable, well-understood starting pieces.
Every time a new surfactant or polymer shows up on a research shelf, lab testers need ways to check performance. 1-Chlorohexadecane finds its use here, too. It serves as a reference point for reactions, and researchers gauge how easy it is to attach such a long chain to new structures. This tells them lots about reactivity and process safety. I remember a team swapping stories about using analogs like this one to pump up yields without sending costs out of reach.
No one grabs a bottle of 1-chlorohexadecane at a market, but manufacturers and lab workers handle it. Safety data sheets point out potential skin and respiratory irritation. Serious labs and production lines enforce glove-and-goggles rules, and the chemical never gets tossed or flushed casually. The haloalkane structure (the fancy term for chloro-tagged hydrocarbons) lands it in a category where proper waste handling keeps it out of drinking water and off skin. Anyone who’s handled it knows not to take shortcuts with ventilation or disposal, a practice driven home by regulations and common sense.
Green chemistry isn’t just a buzzword anymore—every year brings new methods that sidestep traditional chlorinated compounds. Some companies look for plant-based surfactants or different coupling agents that skip halides like 1-chlorohexadecane altogether. Academia pushes these trends by funding projects that trim environmental impact without dropping performance. Some replacements cost more or work slower, but steady pressure from consumers, watchdogs, and innovators keeps the improvement cycle rolling.
So much of chemistry’s progress leans on molecules like 1-chlorohexadecane, even if their names never trend online. They enable scientists to test, optimize, and build the products that shape industry and daily life. Keeping an eye on safety and environmental impact matters as much as discovering the next breakthrough, and stories from the bench keep reminding us why.
1-Chlorohexadecane shows up in research labs and chemical manufacturing. It’s not a day-to-day chemical for most folks, but if you do run into it, understanding the risk really matters. Its structure puts it with other organic chlorides, and those have some track record for being tough on health if not handled with respect. Eye and skin irritation come up most often. Long-term exposure might go deeper. For anyone who works with similar substances, stories come back pretty clear: short sleeves or careless splashing once led to red, itchy patches that stuck around for too long.
A lab coat, gloves, and reliable eye protection don’t just tick boxes. They stop drops and fumes before you even notice there's been a mistake. Not every glove holds up against chemicals, so check the safety data for the right material. My own experiments with chemical-resistant gloves kept my skin free from not just this compound, but much nastier ones too. Skip the open-toed shoes and put the shorts away. Sometimes, accidents don’t look dramatic at first, but chemicals find any open route to your skin.
If you have to heat 1-Chlorohexadecane, goggles become even more important, and a face shield can add an extra layer. Vapors might not always be strong-smelling or obvious. In a small room, without a fume hood running, even a little steamed-off solvent sticks around in the air. I've seen coworkers get headaches without realizing it came from breathing in chemical fumes all day.
Nobody trusts a sealed bottle left baking in the sunlight, or stashed next to acids and bases. A cool, well-labeled safety cabinet, away from sources of heat or open flames, keeps risks in check. The fume hood serves as the main line of defense. Work inside it, close the sash as much as possible, and keep your face out of the airflow. Even a few minutes outside the hood makes a difference if something spills or vaporizes.
Every lab visit teaches a new lesson: paper towels and water don't fix a spill of something like 1-Chlorohexadecane. Chemical spill kits belong within reach. Scoop up solid material using dedicated tools, avoid direct contact, and ventilate the area. My own experience showed that hesitation wastes time—for liquid spills, sand or absorbent pads help a lot. Used cleanup gear counts as hazardous waste; treating it like normal garbage only spreads the problem.
Quick action after exposure saves trouble. Even light contact with your skin? Wash with soap and water, not just a rinse. Get splashes in your eyes? Eyewash stations let you flush away chemicals for at least fifteen minutes—it feels long, but it works. If you or anyone starts coughing or feeling dizzy, fresh air and medical help need to come fast.
It’s tempting to cut corners or trust memory, yet every safe routine comes from real incidents. Training and honest talk in the lab do more than posted warning signs. Everyone who handles 1-Chlorohexadecane should know the risks, the PPE, and the right steps for an emergency. I learned more from conversations with seasoned chemists than any safety poster.
Call it caution or just respect for the unknown. You look out for your health and the health of everyone in the room. That’s what keeps a lab session, or a workday, from turning into a trip to the hospital.
Many folks who work in labs or handle organic compounds know 1-chlorohexadecane as an interesting part of the alkyl halide family. The chemical formula stands as C16H33Cl. To break that down, it contains sixteen carbon atoms linked together in a straight chain, thirty-three hydrogen atoms filling the rest of the single-bond sites, and one chlorine atom sitting at the end. That’s where the “1-chloro” comes from—the chlorine atom grabs onto the first carbon in the string.
Laying out the structure, the compound builds off hexadecane, which itself is a straight, unbranched hydrocarbon chain. Swapping out a single hydrogen at the end of that chain for a chlorine atom shifts the properties in a big way. This swap creates a molecule that carries both the flexibility of a long alkyl tail and the reactivity you can expect from an organochlorine compound. The molecular structure runs like this: Cl-CH2-(CH2)14-CH3.
Working with these molecules, you notice the chain length matters. Hexadecane’s long, waxy backbone pushes the boiling point higher than you’d find in lighter alkyl chlorides. In the lab, this means 1-chlorohexadecane sits as a liquid at room temperature. The chlorine atom isn’t just a bystander either. Its presence often bumps up chemical reactivity, letting folks use 1-chlorohexadecane as a starting point for more complex syntheses—especially in surfactant and lubricant industries.
Chemists always pay close attention to chain length and the location of functional groups. A 16-carbon backbone spells out specific characteristics. For example, the molecule delivers strong hydrophobic (water-repelling) behavior. Drop this compound into an aqueous system and it doesn’t mix—making it a practical choice for modifying surfaces or tweaking solubility in chemical mixtures.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons like this can show persistence in the environment. I once handled a related long-chain chloroalkane and noticed cleanup required more than a basic soap-and-water scrub. That’s because these molecules don’t break down quickly—pointing to the need for careful handling and disposal. Safety data always comes into play here, with organic chemistry teaching the value of gloves and proper fume ventilation during any transfer or reaction.
This compound often pops up in industrial processes, especially where long-chain hydrocarbons are shaped for specific tasks. Surfactants, emulsifiers, and phase-transfer catalysts sometimes start with a backbone like 1-chlorohexadecane. Manufacturers value the molecule when making specialty chemicals for lubricants, coatings, or plastics. It serves as a useful building block when a chlorine handle is needed for further chemical coupling.
Use in industry doesn’t come without health and environmental questions. Chlorinated hydrocarbons have drawn attention for toxicity and ecological persistence. My background handling similar compounds in research settings reminds me that, beyond chemistry, compliance and stewardship matter just as much as molecular structure. Waste management needs a solid plan to limit environmental impact, and strict adherence to occupational safety helps keep exposures in check.
Making and using 1-chlorohexadecane responsibly hinges on greener synthesis and disposal strategies. Process engineers look for ways to minimize by-products and waste. Efforts to replace long-lived chlorinated alkanes with more biodegradable options continue picking up steam—especially in applications where toxicity creates risk. In my view, next-generation chemical design needs to keep pushing for both molecular efficiency and safer end-of-life scenarios. Real progress shows up when innovation meets responsibility on the production floor and in the laboratory.
A bottle marked “1-Chlorohexadecane” doesn’t exactly grab attention unless you’ve worked a shift in a storeroom or run samples through the lab. The danger sits in that plain label. Long, heavy alkyl chlorides like this creep through seals, leave behind a stubborn film, and give anyone with chemical burns a flashback. The answer to “how should it be stored?” decides if an ordinary Tuesday stays ordinary — or if an ambulance comes.
The chemical world hides its risks. On a safety sheet, you’ll spot warnings for irritation, possible damage to organs after extended exposure, or vapor that shouldn’t enter lungs. Get some on bare skin or in eyes, and the sting sticks around. Anywhere with poor airflow, vapors hang in the air longer than you’d guess. I've worked with labs that lost perfectly good stock to nothing more than leaky caps or a cracked shelf on a hot afternoon. If you keep chemicals long enough, chances are you’ve dealt with mystery sludge that started as something pure and safe.
Most people picture a locked cabinet as the answer. In reality, the whole storage space makes the difference: Celsius creeping up, sunlight turning one substance into something nastier, spills finding their way into cracks. Liquid chlorinated hydrocarbons collect static, and not every shelf material holds up to slow leaks. Metal reacts, wood soaks up, and some plastics start breaking down — especially after a missed routine check. Ventilation pulls vapors away, but not every storeroom has enough airflow. At one place I worked, a hidden puddle under outdated flooring set off a whiff of chemical funk for weeks after the source was cleaned up.
The stories about small leaks creating big headaches aren't just scare talk. One spill from a liter bottle can cost more to clean up than a year's supply ever cost to buy. Regulators agree: keep anything volatile in a flame-proof, corrosion-resistant cabinet, away from acids or bases. That doesn’t just keep workers safe — it avoids surprise reactions like vapor clouds or fireballs. In the real world, it often means running inventory more often, making labels matter, and double-checking seals or boxes.
Ignoring small rules turns into lost hours, sick leave, or wasted product. Anyone who’s handled leftovers in a shared space recognizes the signs quickly: peeling labels, half-closed caps, faded hazard stickers. Some places think extra ventilation or warning signage makes up for carelessness. It never does. Sealed, clearly identified containers, out of sunlight, on shelving resistant to chemical attack, near a reliable exhaust — it keeps both product and people workable.
Handling 1-chlorohexadecane isn’t about avoiding the “what if,” but accepting that mistakes happen. Smart operations treat new shipments with the same respect as old open bottles. Regular checks, up-to-date inventory lists, and training mean you catch a problem early, not late. For those in charge of a storeroom, daily routines aren’t just a chore. They keep minor issues from becoming disaster stories, and that’s worth every minute spent.
1-Chlorohexadecane may not win any popularity contests outside of specialty chemistry circles, but its properties make it worth a closer look. The stuff comes in as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. Take a whiff, and you notice a mild, yet distinct odor—nothing overpowering, just a gentle reminder of its presence. With a molecular formula of C16H33Cl, this chemical sports a long hydrocarbon tail capped by a single chlorine atom. That structure sets the stage for its specific traits.
1-Chlorohexadecane stays liquid at room temperature, which makes it easy to pour and measure out, especially compared to some waxy or volatile chemicals. Its melting point sits around 10 to 14 °C, so if you store it somewhere chilly, expect it to start solidifying. On a warm day, though, it flows without fuss. Its boiling point hits about 320 °C—a sure sign that this molecule is less likely to vaporize and fill your lab with fumes compared to lighter counterparts like chloroethane.
The density hovers close to 0.86 g/cm3 at 20 °C. That’s less dense than water, so spills will float until cleaned up. In my experience, this simple fact makes the clean-up process a whole lot easier, especially in crowded labs or busy workshops. Water and 1-chlorohexadecane don’t mix, though. It stands apart from polar solvents, refusing to dissolve except in the company of other non-polar organic liquids—think hexane, toluene, and similar hydrocarbons.
Having worked with similar long-chain alkyl chlorides, I pay extra attention to ventilation and gloves. Even though it doesn’t jump out of the bottle as a vapor, it can irritate the skin and eyes. Data from chemical safety boards points out that, while not acutely toxic like many solvents, repeated or careless contact can still lead to dryness or mild dermatitis. Since it floats on water, spills can spread quickly across surfaces. Care goes into storing it tightly sealed, away from strong sunlight and heat.
This chemical sometimes finds its way into organic synthesis, research, or surfactant production. The long hydrocarbon tail helps produce unique interactions with other molecules, especially in surfactant and lubricant research. Manufacturers look for consistent physical traits, such as high boiling point and chemical stability, when choosing 1-chlorohexadecane for custom products.
Performance under real-world conditions depends on these very same physical traits. Stability at high temperatures means it won’t break down mid-reaction. Poor solubility in water gives researchers a way to separate or layer chemicals during complex processes. The moderate density cuts down on the risk of unwanted mixing in multiphase systems.
Working in the lab, I make it a habit to double-check labeling and storage, especially with chemicals that look deceptively harmless. Even less volatile compounds like 1-chlorohexadecane deserve respect. Failing to assess skin and respiratory exposure can lead to longer-term issues for lab techs and hobbyists. Following clear guidelines, using PPE, and running bench-top experiments with good air flow add a layer of protection not just for the person in the lab coat, but for everyone in the building.
Spreading practical safety education and investing in low-exposure containers help make handling chlorinated hydrocarbons safer. Designers can create flexible packaging that resists leaks and contamination. Facility managers can make regular safety training a priority. These steps shave down the risks, letting people focus on the science instead of worrying about hidden dangers lurking in a bottle.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 1-chlorohexadecane |
| Other names |
Cetyl chloride
Hexadecyl chloride |
| Pronunciation | /ˈklɔːrəʊˌhɛk.səˈdeɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | [4860-03-1] |
| Beilstein Reference | 1718737 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:78099 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL152569 |
| ChemSpider | 15358 |
| DrugBank | DB14097 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 17b521b0-7fce-462d-93fd-9d0c121d6bdd |
| EC Number | 203-942-2 |
| Gmelin Reference | 136436 |
| KEGG | C19200 |
| MeSH | D000310 |
| PubChem CID | 12400 |
| RTECS number | MO2625000 |
| UNII | 8B1M4SFZ5I |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C16H33Cl |
| Molar mass | 319.00 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.844 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.) |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 10.10 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.00405 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Acidity (pKa) | pKa ≈ 50 |
| Basicity (pKb) | pKb: -3.71 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.87e-5 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4360 |
| Viscosity | 4.261 mPa·s (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.03 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 561.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -209.65 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -10470.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. H335: May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: P261, P264, P271, P273, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P312 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | 151 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215 °C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 0.7–6.5% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (rat, oral): >5000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Rat oral 12 g/kg |
| NIOSH | PB9115000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.5 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Bromocyclohexane
1-Bromohexadecane Hexadecyl iodide |
