Oct . 25, 2025 15:20 Back to list

Propargyl Alcohol | High Purity, Reliable Supply

Propargyl alcohol: the small molecule that punches above its weight

In specialty chemicals, a few grams can change a process. That’s why Propargyl Alcohol keeps cropping up in conversations with formulators and plant engineers. To be honest, it’s a modest-looking liquid—yet in corrosion control packages and as a reactive intermediate, it regularly outperforms its category.

What it is and why it matters

Propargyl Alcohol (CAS 107-19-7) is an acetylenic alcohol with two “reactive sides”: the terminal alkyne and the hydroxyl. That duality is why it’s popular in synthesis (pharma, agro, fine chems) and as a corrosion inhibitor component in industrial and professional systems—cooling-water blends, oilfield packages, metalworking fluids. Many customers say it “does a lot with a little,” which, in my experience, is accurate when purity and water are tightly controlled.

Industry trend snapshot

Shift to multi-functional additives: Propargyl Alcohol provides film reinforcement and cathodic suppression in low-dose programs.
Cleaner synthesis routes: demand for high-assay, low-water, peroxide-controlled lots for reproducible catalysis.
Compliance-first procurement: REACH, ISO 9001/14001, and transparent impurity profiles are now table stakes.

Product specifications (typical)

Chemical name	Propargyl Alcohol
Formula / MW	C3H4O / 56.06 g·mol−1
Assay (GC)	≥ 99.0% (typical 99.5%)
Water (KF)	≤ 0.20%
Boiling point	≈114–116 °C
Density (20 °C)	≈0.97 g/mL
Flash point (CC)	≈36 °C
Appearance	Clear, colorless liquid
Stabilization	Peroxide control; MEHQ ≈100 ppm available on request

How it’s made (process flow, simplified)

Materials: acetylene, formaldehyde solution; copper-based catalyst. Method: Reppe-type addition of acetylene to formaldehyde under controlled temperature/pressure, forming a propargyl/allyl alcohol mixture; followed by phase separation, fractional distillation, polishing (peroxide management), and final QC. Testing: GC assay/impurities (ISO/IEC 17025), water by Karl Fischer (ASTM E1064), density (ASTM D4052), flash point (ASTM D93), color APHA (ASTM D1209). Shelf life: ≈24 months in closed drums, nitrogen-blanketed, 5–30 °C, away from ignition sources.

Applications and advantages

Corrosion inhibitor component: improves film persistence in brines and hard waters; lab coupons often show 30–50% lower mass loss vs. base blends (real-world use may vary).
Synthesis intermediate: click/alkyne chemistry, propargylated APIs and agro actives, plating bath modifiers, specialty surfactants.
Process flexibility: the terminal alkyne enables selective additions; the OH offers straightforward derivatization.

Real-world mini case

A North Asia cooling-tower operator swapped 0.5% of their package for Propargyl Alcohol. Their ASTM G31 loop test showed ≈41% less carbon steel weight loss at 35 °C within four weeks. Operators reported “cleaner start-up” and fewer pH adjustments. Not magic—just tighter control of film formation and oxygen undercutting.

Vendor comparison (indicative)

Vendor	Assay	Water	Packaging	Certs	Lead time
DFChem (Shijiazhuang, China)	≥99.0%	≤0.20%	190 kg drums; 20 kg cans	ISO 9001/14001, REACH-ready	2–4 weeks
EU Supplier A	≥98.5%	≤0.30%	IBC; drums	ISO 9001	Stock/Just-in-time
US Supplier B	≥99.0%	≤0.25%	Drums	ISO 9001, NSF non-food claims	3–6 weeks

Customization and QA

Custom specs available: ultra-low water (≤0.05%), tailored inhibitor level, peroxide spec, and drum nitrogen blanketing. Testing against ASTM D4052/D93/E1064 and GC methods; CoAs and SDS supplied. Origin: Room 511, Zelong Building, No.195 Guanghua Road, Shijiazhuang, China 050000.