Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic stands out in both industrial and laboratory chemistry as a raw material with distinct characteristics. Its IUPAC name is undecanal, and it belongs to the family of aliphatic aldehydes. This compound shows up as either a clear liquid or white crystalline solid, depending on its purity and storage temperature. Its molecular formula, C11H22O, gives it an unbranched alkyl chain of 11 carbons with a terminal carbonyl group. The molecular weight lands at 170.29 g/mol, a useful figure when measuring quantities for reactions or quality control.
Lined up on the shelves of a fragrance lab, Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic isn’t just a name on a label—it carries a heavy lift in composing scents. Its waxy, citrus green aroma has shaped countless perfumes and household products. Chemists prize this aldehyde for its power to build heady notes, bridging lighter top notes with richer bases. Not limited to perfumery, it factors into flavor formulas and sometimes turns up in pharmaceuticals, demonstrating its flexible chemistry. Manufacturers turn to it not only for aroma but also as a starting material in making surfactants, specialty polymers, and coatings. My years working in a chemical plant involved handling this compound as a feedstock, where its reliable reactivity kept production lines running smoothly.
This chemical floats in the neighborhood of 0.825 g/cm³ for density, lower than water, making it easy to separate from most aqueous phases. The structure lets it blend well into organic solvents and integrate into many synthetic routes. Its melting point hovers around 25°C, so it shifts from a soft solid to clear liquid right near room temperature—this behavior led to a few messes in my early days at the lab bench before I learned to watch the thermometer. Boiling hits at about 227°C, which matters for recovery and distillation during large-scale handling. Its refractive index, at 1.435-1.437, can help track purity when running quality controls or identifying materials quickly.
Depending on purity, Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic takes several forms. The flakes and crystalline solid pile up easily, while the pearl and powdered shapes make for simple dosing in batch processes. The neat liquid—what you smell right from the bottle—flows with that striking oily citrus note, which carries through in finished products. Each form brings its own quirks in handling, packaging, and mixing, so manufacturers choose based on the demands of their process and storage setups. In my experience, working with solid forms felt safer: less spillage risk and easier containment, though the liquid version always played better when speed or high variation is key.
On the safety side, Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic asks for respect. It counts as hazardous if inhaled or contacted directly with the skin in high concentrations, as it may cause irritation or harmful reactions. This means gloves, eye protection, and well-ventilated workspaces rank as basic needs for every handler—lessons I learned after a short-lived exposure brought on a bout of mild dermatitis. The vapors, while not as aggressive as those of shorter-chain aldehydes, can still sting the nose and eyes. Storage away from heat, oxidizers, and acids helps curb the risks of unwanted reactions or degradation, something that experience quickly turns into routine. Emergency eyewash stations and spill containment kits become part of daily prep in any facility storing this material. Proper labeling and records also help meet regulatory compliance, especially since shipments often move under the HS Code 2912.19, which covers acyclic aldehydes without other oxygen functions.
Regulators pay attention to Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic, asking for clear documentation and material safety data sheets with each shipment. Its presence in both workplace air and wastewater falls under periodic monitoring in many places due to the low but real potential for harm to aquatic life and possible buildup in the environment if not managed well. In my years working with environmental compliance, each drum sent out required precise labeling and documented chain-of-custody, particularly for export. The need for responsible disposal means neutralization steps and checks for incomplete oxidation, especially since aldehydes tend to linger rather than break down immediately under mild conditions.
Industries counting on Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic can lower risk and boost efficiency by investing in better ventilation, improved PPE, and robust leak detection systems. Bulk handlers often automate transfer steps to cut spills and vapor leaks. Filtering spent solutions through activated carbon or other scavengers reduces environmental load before wastewater discharge. For supply chain traceability, integrated monitoring systems keep track of inventory and waste output. Inside the lab, smaller-scale users turn to sealed ampules and single-use packaging to dodge contamination or dosing mistakes. Each step, from sourcing through final use, benefits from staff training and careful attention—measures that save time, boost safety, and lower the odds of costly mistakes.
Aldehyde C-11 Undecylic does more than fill a shelf on the supply room wall; it shapes products millions use every day. Its unique smell marks out well-known perfumes, while its chemical backbone builds complex molecular structures downstream. Each property, from melting point to density, ties directly into the success or failure of a process, and its handling calls up a long list of learning moments for every chemist and technician it meets. From sourcing high-purity solid pucks to keeping careful logs on liquid transfer, this compound reflects the tightrope walk between creativity and caution in the chemical industry—something I’ve seen in every step, from lab counter to large-scale plant.
