Heptaldehyde & Heptanoic acid are produced by the pyrolysis of castor oil. Heptaldehyde & Heptanoic acid are produced by the pyrolysis of castor oil.

Castor Oil is pyrolyzed in the presence of 0.5% benzoyl peroxide. The operating parameters are optimized to obtain high yields of heptaldehyde and undecylenic acid.

Ricinoleic Acid -> (pyrolysis) ->Heptaldehyde CH3(CH2)5CHO+ Undecylenic acid CH2=CH (CH2)8COOH

Heptaldehyde is oxidized to form heptanoic acid in liquid phase, employing oxygen as oxidizing agent.

Applications

• n-Heptanoic acid is used primarily:
• In the form of esters: industrial lubricants (aviation, refrigeration, etc.),
• Plasticizers for laminated glass, tracer for butter etc.
• In the form of salts: for aqueous anticorrosion.
• As raw material for perfume, medicine and lubricating grease.
• As chemical intermediate in the synthesis of emollient agents:
• In personal care: propylene glycol diheptanoate & stearyl heptanoate
• In pharmaceutical gel: neopentylglycol diheptanoate.