Polymorphism of N-Alkanols:  1-Heptadecanol, 1-Octadecanol, 1-Nonadecanol, and 1-Eicosanol

• Published in: Chemistry of materials Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 508 - 517
• Main Authors: Ventolà, L, Ramírez, M, Calvet, T, Solans, X, Cuevas-Diarte, M. A, Negrier, P, Mondieig, D, van Miltenburg, J. C, Oonk, H. A. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 18.02.2002
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Physics
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm011010h

The polymorphism of 1-heptadecanol (C17H35OH), 1-octadecanol (C18H37OH), 1-nonadecanol (C19H39OH), and 1-eicosanol (C20H41OH) has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman scattering, and infrared spectroscopy (IR). At room-temperature two monoclinic forms, β and γ, are observed. For the n-alkanols with an even number of carbons the stable form is γ, whereas β is the stable form for the n-alkanols with an odd number of carbons. On heating, these phases transform to a monoclinic, rotator form R'IV at a few degrees below the melting point. A metastable β form is obtained by quenching from the melt for 1-octadecanol and 1-eicosanol, which is isostructural with the β-phase of the odd alkanols. Cell parameters, temperatures, and enthalpies of the transitions are reported.