C11-C15 Secondaryalcohols ethoxylated propoxylated
[CAS# 68551-14-4]

Identification

• Classification: Surfactant >> Nonionic surfactant
• Name: C11-C15 Secondaryalcohols ethoxylated propoxylated
• CAS Registry Number: 68551-14-4
• EC Number: 614-584-5

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS07 Danger
• Risk Statements: H302-H312-H315-H318-H412
• Safety Statements: P264-P264+P265-P270-P273-P280-P301+P317-P302+P352-P305+P354+P338-P317-P321-P330-P332+P317-P362+P364-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332

Discovery and Applications

Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated propoxylated are nonionic surfactants produced by ethoxylating and propoxylating secondary alcohols with carbon chain lengths in the range of C11 to C15. The typical CAS number for this class is 68551-14-4, according to regulatory databases. These substances are used widely in cleaning and personal-care formulations due to their balance of lipophilicity (from the long hydrocarbon chain) and hydrophilicity (from the ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) groups).

From a regulatory standpoint, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) lists this substance and reports that it is classified for causes of serious eye damage, skin irritation, and has environmental toxicity. Because of its surfactant nature, exposure can occur in industrial, consumer, and household cleaning contexts.

The toxicological and environmental data indicate that alcohol ethoxylates (including propoxylated ones) have a moderate aquatic toxicity and may persist long enough to cause environmental concern. According to chemical risk assessments, these compounds are readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions, and their potential for bioaccumulation is considered low because they are efficiently metabolized and eliminated. The same assessments estimate that their mobility in soil or sediment is moderate.

A safety data sheet for a commercial mixture containing C12-15 ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols reports an acute EC₅₀ (effect concentration) of 1 mg/L for aquatic organisms such as Daphnia, fish, and algae. From a human health perspective, the SDS lists that the mixture can severely irritate eyes, and potentially irritate skin and mucous membranes at sufficient exposure.

Because of the potential for irritation and environmental toxicity, regulatory and consumer safety groups often monitor these substances. For example, the EWG (Environmental Working Group) lists C11-15 secondary alcohol ethoxylates/propoxylates among ingredients of concern in cleaning products, particularly due to their hazard classification and possible residues of 1,4-dioxane (a byproduct of ethoxylation).

In summary, Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated propoxylated are versatile nonionic surfactants used in detergents and personal care formulations. Their chemical design—combining long-chain secondary alcohols with EO/PO units—gives them desirable surface-active properties, but also raises safety and environmental concerns that are addressed through regulatory classification, biodegradation assessments, and careful use in consumer products.

References

Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated propoxylated info from ECHA substance infocard. ECHA. URL

C11-15-Secondary Alcohols Ethoxylated details. U.S. EPA CompTox. URL

Chemical risk-assessment summary on ethoxylated alcohols including C12-15. Santos. URL