Product overview
What are NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates?
NEODOL alcohols are high purity, high linearity primary alcohols that typically contain 75-85% by weight normal alcohols. They contain both even and odd numbered carbon chains, offering excellent product qualities for various applications.
NEODOL alcohols are manufactured using the Shell hydroformylation (SHF) process from olefins produced from ethylene using the Shell Higher Olefins Process (SHOP). The alcohols are then reacted with ethylene oxide to produce NEODOL ethoxylates.
Shell Chemicals companies offer a wide variety of alcohols and ethoxylates. The principal alcohol grades are NEODOL 91 (C9-C11 alcohols), NEODOL 23 (C12-13 alcohols), NEODOL 25 (C12-15 alcohols), NEODOL 45 (C14-15 alcohols), NEODOL 1, (C11 alcohol), NEODOL 3, (C13 alcohol), and NEODOL 5, (C15 alcohol).
Both alcohols and ethoxylates are product groups. Generic formula for alcohols is CnH(2n+1)OH often referred to as 'ROH'. Generic formula for ethoxylates is RO(CH2CH2O)nH.
How are NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates used?
NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates are found in a wide variety of everyday products. NEODOL ethoxylates and other NEODOL-based surfactants are used in many of the most respected consumer detergents, cleaning products and personal care products worldwide. They are formulated into laundry powders and liquids, laundry PODS, dishwashing liquid and hard surface cleaners. They are also used in the manufacture of a variety of industrial chemicals and in lubricating oil additives.
NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates are often derivatized before use in formulations. The ease of ethoxylation and sulfation by conventional means makes the derivatives suitable for a broad spectrum of surfactant applications.
Our key strengths in alcohols and ethoxylates
- One of the largest integrated producers of alcohols and ethoxylates globally.
- High quality products manufactured to global specifications, allowing customers to create global formulations.
- Unique manufacturing flexibilities, with even and odd carbon chain alcohols.
- Differentiated alcohols and custom combinations depending on your needs.
- Active player in industry forums that promote scientific, risk-based assessments of alcohols and ethoxylates.
- Technical product experts, located in Houston and Amsterdam, that work closely with customers to identify the appropriate products for their needs and optimize formulations.
- Depth of knowledge and experience gained over more than 50 years.
Product literature
Realizing performance benefits through alcohol-based surfactant optimization
Surface tension and CMC of NEODOL ethoxylates
Foaming properties of NEODOL ethoxylates
Typical distributions of NEODOL ethoxylate adducts
Viscosity of NEODOL ethoxylates
NEODOL Ethoxylates Property Range updated June 2006
Suggested Product End-Uses for NEODOL Ethoxylates N45
Suggested Product End-Uses for NEODOL Ethoxylates N23 and N25 Series
Suggested Product End-Uses for NEODOL Ethoxylates N91 and N1 Series
NEODOL Ethoxylates Typical Properties N45 and N135 Series
NEODOL Ethoxylates Typical Properties N23 and N25 Series
NEODOL Ethoxylates Typical Properties N91 and N1 Series
NEODOL Alcohols Typical Properties
Branching and Carbon Number Type in Detergent Range Alcohols
Suggested Product End-Uses for NEODOL Alcohols
HLB numbers, solvent miscibility and emulsification of NEODOL ethoxylates
HSE and safety literature
HSE overview: linear detergent range and plasticizer alcohols
Datasheets
As shown in the table below, the NEODOL alcohols are named based on the number of carbon atoms contained in the product. For example, NEODOL 91 is a blend of C9, C10 and C11 alcohols.
For the NEODOL ethoxylates, the description of the parent alcohol is retained, e.g. NEODOL 91, and is followed by a number indicating the average moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added.
Alcohol
| Product/Grade | Carbon chains | EO groups | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEODOL 3 | C13 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 5 | C15 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 91 | C9/C10/C11 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 1 | C11 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 23 | C12/C13 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 25 | C12/C13/C14/C15 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 45 | C14/C15 | N/A | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 135 | C11/C13/C15 | N/A | Datasheet |
Ethoxylate
| Product/Grade | Carbon chains | EO groups | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEODOL 91-51 | C9/C10/C11 | 5 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 91-61 | C9/C10/C11 | 6 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 91-8 | C9/C10/C11 | 8 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 23-2 | C12/C13 | 2 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 25-3 | C12/C13/C14/C15 | 3 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 25-7 | C12/C13/C14/C15 | 7 | Datasheet |
| NEODOL 45-7 | C14/C15 | 7 | Datasheet |
1 Please consult with your Account Manager regarding availability.
Applications
NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates have diverse end-uses. Within the range of C9 to C15 alcohols, Shell chemicals companies offer a wide variety of alcohols and ethoxylates containing blended carbon chains to satisfy customer needs.
The surfactant market continues to undergo major changes and the NEODOL product range has been and will be adapted to serve changing needs. More than one NEODOL product is frequently suggested for a given end-use. In the final analysis, the customer will be required to choose the best product for a particular application.
By adjusting the ratio of the NEODOL surfactants, and sometimes by combining with other surfactant types, formulations can be optimized for such features as detergency, foam profile, builder type, enzyme stability, cold water performance and product multi-functionality.
Laundry products
Laundry detergency is the capability of a surfactant system to remove soils and stains from fabrics. Three types of products derived from NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates play major roles in laundry detergency processes: alcohol sulphates, alcohol ethoxy sulphates and ethoxylates. In this regard, Shell chemicals companies respond to customers' needs by offering NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates for sulphation and ethoxylates for direct formulation into finished detergents.
A NEODOL product may be chosen for a particular formulation for a variety of reasons: superior detergency for particular soils, compatibility or synergism with other surfactants or enzymes, cost/performance, and satisfactory supply position. Biodegradability characteristics must be satisfactory, and the surfactant must perform well with a particular builder or, in some cases, no builder at all. Many other selection criteria are also involved.
Light Duty Liquid Detergents (LDLs)
Most consumers judge the effectiveness of LDL detergents by dishwashing foam stability. Therefore, this performance criterion is quantitatively measured when judging the effectiveness of a particular LDL. Product appeal is also governed by other physical characteristics such as viscosity, low temperature stability, grease cutting ability, odour, appearance and skin mildness.
While Shell chemicals companies do not supply NEODOL-based ethoxysulphates, they do supply a variety of sulphation-grade ethoxylates for sulphation, i.e. NEODOL 23-2, NEODOL 25-3. In addition, mid-mole ethoxylates such as NEODOL 25-7 or NEODOL 45-7 may be sulphated for use in liquid detergents.
Outstanding dishwashing foam performance can be obtained with liquids based on ethoxysulphates derived from NEODOL ethoxylates in combination with other ingredients such as alkyl benzene sulphonate, alpha olefin sulphonate and fatty acid diethanol amide. NEODOL alcohol ethoxylates offer the advantage of good grease-cutting performance and suitable skin mildness.
Hard Surface Cleaners
NEODOL ethoxylates and ethoxysulphates are widely used to formulate hard surface cleaners such as pine oil cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, floor and wall cleaners, and all-purpose spray cleaners.
The NEODOL 91, 1 and 23 series of ethoxylates are excellent candidates for hard surface cleaning applications. NEODOL 91 ethoxylates are often the most suitable for starting formulations. NEODOL 1 series ethoxylates offer excellent rinsing properties. In some cases, the NEODOL 23 and 25 ethoxylates are also suitable. An alcohol ethoxysulphate, such as one based on NEODOL 25-3, is often an appropriate choice where a higher foaming anionic surfactant is required. NEODOL 1, 91 and 23 alcohols can be ethoxylated to suit formulation needs.
Lubricating Oil Additives
NEODOL alcohols are suitable for the manufacture of a number of commonly used additives in lubricating oils. They are used as a raw material for viscosity index improvers and as pour point depressants by major producers of additives in both Europe and the United States.
The Shell advantage
Why choose Shell?
Global supply capability
ethoxylates are manufactured to global specifications across the Shell manufacturing network. Shell's flexible distribution capabilities allow products to be shipped to alternate locations.
Experienced team, personal service
Shell customers have access to the support of experienced scientists who can offer hands-on expertise and data to customers when formulating new products.
Value through versatile products
Formulators have the flexibility of using the same ethoxylate ingredient in several products, thus simplifying handling time and cost.
A good steward of the environment
Shell Chemicals have a strong focus on Product Stewardship and are committed to setting and achieving high standards in health, safety and environment (HSE) management. Commercial and technical teams work independently and with industry groups to test and evaluate products, and information is shared with customers and the industry on HSE matters.