1-Chlorohexadecane: Properties, Structure, and Applications Explained

What is 1-Chlorohexadecane?

1-Chlorohexadecane sits among a class of organic compounds called alkyl halides, characterized by a long carbon chain topped off with a chlorine atom. Its chemical formula, C₁₆H₃₃Cl, points to a straight line of sixteen carbon atoms, each linked by single bonds, capped at one end with a chlorine and at the other with a hydrogen. The molecular weight comes in at about 260.89 g/mol, which already tells you – this isn’t a lightweight hydrocarbon. Most folks first come across 1-Chlorohexadecane in organic synthesis labs or materials research centers, usually in bottles marked with the HS Code 2903.19, flagged as a commodity for industry and trade.

Key Physical Properties

Ask anyone who has handled 1-Chlorohexadecane, and they’ll recall it as a somewhat viscous liquid at room temperature. Clear and colorless, it’s got a faint, wax-like scent – not sharp or biting, more like paraffin or candle wax. Boiling hits at roughly 338°C, with a melting point close to 21°C. It tends to form flakes, solid pearls, or powder when cooled below room temperature. Take a liter of the stuff, and you’re holding about 0.853 kilograms – that’s its specific density at 25°C. This low volatility makes it easier to handle than the shorter-chain analogs, which flash off quickly and give off more fumes.

Solubility favors non-polar solvents; it slips right into hexane, chloroform, and other organics, but just won’t mix with water. The long hydrocarbon chain gives it a greasy character, sticking to glassware and gloves, and coating anything it touches with a slick residue. This hydrophobic nature is the reason chemists reach for it in reactions needing a stable, mostly inert material as a starting point or diluent.

Industrial Uses and Raw Material Applications

Industry turns to this compound as a building block. Long-chain alkyl halides like 1-Chlorohexadecane form the backbone of surfactants, detergents, and phase-change materials. The chlorine atom at the terminal carbon is reactive – it’ll swap out for other groups, opening the door for further synthesis. Think of it as a tool for making quaternary ammonium salts, lubricants, and wax modifiers. In specialty chemical plants, it helps create custom materials for cosmetics, coatings, and even pharmaceuticals.

Raw material purity matters, and specifications for 1-Chlorohexadecane run tight. Chemical suppliers check for percent purity (normally above 98%), absence of unsaturated contaminants, and melting behavior. Flakes or powder show consistent crystalline structure under a microscope; any off-smell or cloudiness in the liquid warns of old or degraded material. These small checks keep end products reliable, minimizing process upsets in factories that can burn through thousands of liters a month.

Chemical Structure and Reactivity

The core of this molecule is a sixteen-carbon alkane, with single bonds all down the line. Set the chlorine atom on the first carbon, and you shift both reactivity and physical behavior. The C-Cl bond, polar by nature, draws chemists seeking controlled reactions. Under alkaline or nucleophilic conditions, the chlorine can be kicked off, allowing new groups to hop on – a handy feature for building molecules with long hydrophobic tails.

In personal experience, running a reaction with this compound can be unlike working with shorter analogues: it stirs slower, takes more heat to dissolve, and gives cleaner, simpler products because side reactions don’t pile up. Control is king in chemistry, and 1-Chlorohexadecane gives it by reacting only at that terminal carbon, leaving the rest of the chain inert and stable.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Any chemical bearing a halogen deserves respect. Material safety data for 1-Chlorohexadecane points to skin and eye irritation risks, especially if splashed or spilled. Glove up – nitrile or neoprene handle the greasy residue far better than latex, which can swell and degrade. Extended inhalation of vapor in closed spaces brings about headaches and discomfort; while it isn’t volatile at room temperature, heated applications or accidental release mean proper ventilation is non-negotiable.

1-Chlorohexadecane gets a hazard classification for environmental persistence, not acute toxicity. Spills in water systems linger, thanks to its hydrophobic character. Regulations in the EU assign it to categories that demand careful labeling, safe storage, and restricted disposal methods. Keep containers closed tight, stored away from acids and oxidizers. For waste, follow local rules – incineration at high temperature usually stands as the recommended path.

Reflections on Importance and Future Directions

Long-chain alkyl halides like 1-Chlorohexadecane hold a crucial role for chemists, material engineers, and industry specialists who need durable, predictable starting materials. My experience in a polymer lab showed me just how often small details – like purity, density, or melting point – can derail a project. When suppliers pay attention to specifications and buyers read the safety sheets, accidents drop and product reliability climbs. It’s the small decisions, not the flashy ones, that end up mattering in a daily workflow.

Sustainability concerns push the chemical industry to rethink even simple molecules. Practicing responsible sourcing, batch testing for contaminants, and responsible disposal aren’t optional. There’s room for green alternatives and biosourced raw materials in the future, but for now, knowing how compounds like 1-Chlorohexadecane function, behave, and interact with our workspaces forms the backbone of safer, smarter chemistry practices for everyone at the bench and beyond.