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The Uses of 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid

2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) is an organic compound used widely in modern industry for household products. Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)3CH(C2H5)CO2H. 2-EHA is a colorless liquid with a very faint odor and a high boiling point. It is used in many home products such as plastics, engine coolant, paints and cosmetics. It acts as a stabilizer, catalyst and protectant. 2-ethylhexanoic acid is often combined with other compounds for practical applications, such as to make metal "soaps" or esters.

Drying Agent for Paints, Inks, Enamels and Varnishes
- Paints that claim they "dry five times faster" often contain 2-EHA.
  
  2-ethylhexanoic acid is used as a drier in paints, enamels, varnishes and printing inks. For these products, 2-EHA is combined with metals to produce metal salts. These metallic compounds are then added to liquids to act as siccatives (drying agents). Cobalt and manganese are most often used with 2-EHA to make siccatives. The siccative works when the 2-EHA draws in oxygen from the air, and the metal acts as a catalyst to speed this process. Potassium, iron, lead, zinc, zirconium, copper, molybdenum, chromium and nickel are also used in combination with 2-EHA as siccatives.
Wood Protectant
- 2-EHA helps protect lumber from fungus and sap stain.
  
  In the lumber industry, 2-EHA is used as wood preservative. The sodium salt of 2-ethylhexanoic acid combined with other fungicides is used to protect cut wood. These protective coatings are used to guard wood and other cellulose-based materials against sap stain and mold fungi. The wood is dipped in, coated or brushed with a solution of 2-EHA, fungicides and water.
Engine Coolant Anti-Corrosive
- OAT coolants made with 2-EHA are preferred for some vehicle makes.
  
  2-ethylhexanoic acid is a common component in organic acid technology (OAT) or extended-life antifreeze coolant (XLC or ELC). OAT is used as an alternative to traditional, silicate-based antifreeze. The 2-EHA protects engine parts from corrosion, replacing the silicates that traditionally filled this role. OAT is recommended in engines with aluminum components (heads or radiators). OAT coolants are usually orange, red or pink, where traditional antifreeze is green. Some tests have shown that OAT including 2-EHA have a longer performance life than regular antifreeze.
Stabilizer in Plastic
- 2-EHA improves PVC's heat resistance.
  
  2-EHA metal salts are frequently used as stabilizers in plastic-making. The 2-EHA is usually combined with barium, cadmium, tin or strontium for this purpose. 2-EHA is especially used in PVC, which on its own has a low heat resistance. Adding 2-EHA metal salts to PVC raises its resistance at higher temperatures, preventing the formation of hydrochloric acid in the heated plastic. 2-EHA also works as a thermal and color stabilizer in alkyd resin plastics.
  
  2-EHA esters are also used to plasticize (make more malleable) PVC, nitrocellulose, chlorinated rubber and propylene. These 2-EHA esters are also used as lubricants.
Emulsifier for Cosmetics
- Cetearyl ethylhexanoate has many uses in personal care products.
  
  2-EHA is often chosen as an emollient in cosmetics because of its high hydrolytic stability (the chemical compounds do not degrade easily in water). An ester of 2-EHA -- cetearyl ethylhexanoate -- is the most common form of 2-EHA used in cosmetics. This compound is a combination of 2-EHA and cetearyl alcohol. Cetearyl ethylhexanoate is used as a moisturizer on skin and a conditioning agent for hair products. It also works as a water repellent for products such as mascara and SPF lotions. Cetearyl ethylhexanoate makes products more "spreadable" and may be found in items that claim the product "goes on smooth."

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