Linear Alpha Olefins CAS 592-41-6 (1-hexene)

What is Linear Alpha Olefins?

Linear alpha olefins are straight-chain hydrocarbons with a terminal double bond at the first carbon. They are produced as a family — C4, C6, C8, C10, C12 and heavier — and each cut has its own market rather than being interchangeable.

The terminal double bond is what makes them valuable. It is far more reactive than an internal one, so LAOs insert cleanly into polyethylene chains, oligomerise to uniform PAO base oils, and alkylate or oxidise to detergent intermediates.

The light cuts dominate volume. 1-Butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene are polyethylene comonomers that control density and tear strength in LLDPE and HDPE; 1-decene goes almost entirely to polyalphaolefin synthetic base oils.

Heavier cuts, C12 to C18 and above, serve detergent alcohols, alpha olefin sulphonates, drilling fluids, lubricant additives and paper sizing. Purity, carbon distribution and paraffin content define the grade for all of them.

Why linear alpha olefins specifically

• Terminal unsaturation. The double bond sits at the chain end, giving high and predictable reactivity for polymerisation and oligomerisation.
• Linear structure. Straight chains give uniform crystallinity in copolymers and clean biodegradability in surfactants.
• Defined carbon cuts. Each cut is a product in its own right, bought for a specific downstream reaction.
• Low branching and low aromatics. Important where colour, odour and oxidative stability matter, as in PAO and personal-care chains.

How Linear Alpha Olefins is Manufactured

Most linear alpha olefins are made by oligomerising ethylene. The technology determines whether you get a full carbon distribution or a single cut.

• Full-range ethylene oligomerisation. Ethylene is oligomerised over an aluminium alkyl or nickel catalyst to a Schulz-Flory distribution of even-numbered alpha olefins from C4 upward.
• Fractionation. The mixed oligomer is distilled into individual cuts — C4, C6, C8, C10 — and into blended heavy cuts such as C12–C14 and C16–C18.
• On-purpose trimerisation and tetramerisation. Selective chromium catalysts convert ethylene directly to 1-hexene or 1-octene at high selectivity, avoiding the unwanted cuts.
• Fischer-Tropsch extraction. Alpha olefins are separated from FT syncrude in gas-to-liquids complexes, a major source of 1-hexene and 1-octene.
• Wax cracking. Thermal cracking of paraffin wax gives a broader, less pure alpha olefin stream for non-critical uses.
• Finishing. Cuts are treated to remove dienes, internal olefins and oxygenates, then stored under nitrogen to protect colour and peroxide value.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of a commercial comonomer-grade cut. Each carbon number carries its own specification — tell us the cut and the downstream reaction and we will send the matching sheet.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Behaviour in the process

Alpha olefins behave predictably, but the differences between cuts decide handling:

• Volatility falls sharply with chain length. 1-Hexene is a highly flammable liquid; C16–C18 cuts are combustible liquids with ordinary handling requirements.
• Peroxide and colour formation. Air exposure slowly forms peroxides and degrades colour, which is why nitrogen blanketing is standard.
• Isomerisation. Heat and acidic contact move the double bond inward, converting alpha olefin to less reactive internal olefin.
• Solidification of heavy cuts. C20 and above need heated storage and lines to remain pumpable.

Cuts and Alternative Comonomers

Linear alpha olefins are bought by cut, and the cut is chosen by the downstream reaction rather than by price per tonne.

Stated plainly: the cuts are not substitutes for each other. Moving from 1-hexene to 1-octene in a polyethylene plant changes the resin properties and the economics, and it is a product decision rather than a sourcing one.

Industries We Supply Linear Alpha Olefins To

The same oligomerisation plant feeds polyethylene, lubricants and surfactants. What changes is the cut, the purity grade and the impurity ceiling.

Where Linear Alpha Olefins is Used

More than half of global LAO volume goes into polyethylene as comonomer. PAO base oils and detergent chains take most of the rest.

As a polyethylene comonomer

Comonomer insertion creates short branches that interrupt crystallinity, lowering density and raising tear and impact strength. Longer branches from 1-octene give better film properties than the shorter ones from 1-butene at the same density, which is why octene commands a premium. Catalyst poisons in the comonomer stream are the usual cause of reactor productivity loss.

In PAO manufacture

1-Decene is oligomerised with BF₃ or metallocene catalysts, then hydrogenated, to give base oils with a high viscosity index, low pour point and excellent oxidative stability. Alpha-olefin content and the absence of branched isomers directly control the viscosity index of the finished PAO.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with the alpha-olefin content and carbon distribution reported for the cut you bought.

• Alpha-olefin content — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
• Carbon number distribution — confirming the cut against the specification.
• Paraffin and internal olefin content — measured because they are inert diluents in most reactions.
• Water and oxygenates — critical for polymerisation comonomer grades.
• Sulphur — reported because it poisons polymerisation and hydrogenation catalysts.
• Colour and peroxide value — indicators of air exposure and storage history.
• Bromine index — available where unsaturation needs direct confirmation.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

When alpha olefins cause trouble, it is usually impurities, isomerisation or the wrong cut. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. 200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tanks and bulk parcels depending on the cut and volume.
• Nitrogen blanketing. Standard for comonomer grades to protect colour, peroxide value and catalyst performance.
• Temperature control. Ambient for C6 to C18; heated storage and traced lines for C20 and heavier cuts.
• Storage. Cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources and oxidisers; light cuts require flammable-liquid storage.
• Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are standard. Avoid copper and contact with acidic catalyst residues that promote isomerisation.
• Moisture control. Dried lines and dry nitrogen are essential for polymerisation grades.
• Shelf life. Typically 12 to 24 months in sealed, blanketed storage. Re-test colour and peroxide value on aged stock.
• Transport classification. Light cuts UN 2458 or UN 3295, Class 3; heavy cuts are generally non-regulated. Confirm per cut.

Hazards & Safe Handling

Hazard depends on the cut. Light alpha olefins are highly flammable liquids with an aspiration hazard; heavier cuts are combustible liquids with mainly irritant and aspiration concerns.

• Flammability. 1-Hexene has a flash point near −26 °C; flash point rises with carbon number. Classify your storage by the cut you hold.
• Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid hydrocarbon can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
• Skin and eye effects. Repeated contact defats skin; use chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
• Vapour exposure. Light cuts give flammable vapours heavier than air; ventilate and monitor at low level.
• Peroxides. Aged, air-exposed material can accumulate peroxides; keep blanketed and test old stock.
• Hot handling. Heavy cuts handled above ambient present a thermal burn risk at sampling points.
• Environment. Poorly soluble but harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

Linear alpha olefins are widely used industrial hydrocarbons with classification that varies by carbon number. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice — confirm your own position with your regulatory adviser.

• GHS classification. Light cuts: flammable liquid and aspiration hazard. Heavier cuts: aspiration hazard and aquatic toxicity. The SDS for your specific cut carries the full statements.
• REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories; several cuts are also listed as polymer-grade comonomers.
• Dangerous goods transport. Light cuts ship under UN 2458 or UN 3295, Class 3; heavier cuts are typically non-regulated for transport.
• Food and personal-care chains. Where the downstream product is a surfactant or cosmetic intermediate, additional purity and heavy-metal documentation is normally required.
• Offshore and oilfield use. Synthetic drilling fluid applications are subject to discharge and toxicity regulation in many offshore jurisdictions.
• Quality agreements. Polyethylene producers commonly expect documented water, oxygenate and sulphur limits with change control.

We Supply Linear Alpha Olefins Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Linear Alpha Olefins from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.

• Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
• Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
• Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
• Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
• Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.

Buying Linear Alpha Olefins from Chelora

We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For linear alpha olefins that means settling three things at enquiry: the carbon cut, the grade and impurity ceiling your downstream reaction needs, and the packing format that suits your receiving setup.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (alpha-olefin content, carbon distribution, paraffins), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
• Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
• Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
• Grade matching. Comonomer, PAO or detergent grade of the exact carbon cut you need, with the impurity ceilings your catalyst tolerates.
• Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
• Related products. Ethylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Linear Alkyl Benzene and other feedstocks alongside Linear Alpha Olefins from one supplier.

How ordering works

• Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
• We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
• Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
• Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
• Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.

Related Products

Buyers of linear alpha olefins often source other olefins alongside them — polyethylene producers typically buy ethylene and 1-butene, and lubricant and surfactant makers need base oils or LAB on the same programme.