2-Undecyl-imidazole belongs to the imidazole family of compounds and stands out thanks to its unique structure: an imidazole ring attached to an undecyl chain. This chain creates properties that interest both chemists and manufacturers who seek specific performance in end products. The long alkyl chain modifies the compound’s solubility and helps tailor how it interacts with different substances, so it’s not just theory but something people in coatings, plastics, and specialty chemicals rely on to get the job done.
The molecular formula for 2-undecyl-imidazole is C14H26N2, with a molecular weight that weighs in at about 222.37 g/mol. The density tends to land near 0.99 g/cm³ at room temperature. Depending on production grade and temperature, this compound comes as a powder, flake, or fine crystal, sometimes described as off-white, sometimes near colorless in its purest state. The undecyl side chain gives it a touch of greasiness to the touch rather than a dry, chalky feel you get with lighter imidazole derivatives. You won’t pour it out like a typical liquid; it handles easily in bulk and doesn’t dust everywhere like talc. When stored properly, it holds up in standard packaging as a solid, offering a shelf life that supports scale-up for industrial use.
Imidazoles show basic and nucleophilic characters, and the long undecyl tail of 2-undecyl-imidazole means less tendency to evaporate and more resistance to moisture pickup. This makes it easier to store and transport than lighter imidazoles. Users value its stability at ambient temperatures — it doesn’t react with most materials in standard containers and resists breakdown when kept dry and out of sunlight. The melting range hovers around 47-56°C, so you might notice a mild flow in high summer warehouses, yet under normal conditions, it stays solid, making measurement and batching straightforward. As for solubility, expect it to dissolve in organic solvents such as acetone or ethanol but largely insoluble in water, making it suitable for oil-based processes or as an additive where water-resistance matters.
Production begins with the selection of long-chain alkyl halides and imidazole rings, brought together under controlled temperatures and monitored for purity. The alkylation step can be finicky; small shifts in temperature or reaction time affect yield and purity. Manufacturers watch for byproducts—these can impact the safety profile and waste stream. Supply chain issues around specialty chemicals have always created bumpier rides than for commodity products, which puts more pressure on buyers and producers to secure dependable, well-documented feedstocks. As regulations tighten, both buyers and sellers track the precise CAS number: 32787-29-8, with global shipping classified under the HS Code 2933299090, slotting it with heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms.
While 2-undecyl-imidazole does not call for the red-flag treatment of some more reactive or volatile chemicals, it still brings health and safety factors users should know about. Handling in industrial settings requires gloves and eye protection because direct contact may irritate skin or eyes, and the dust, although not highly volatile, does not belong in lungs. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn against ingesting or long-term inhalation, listing the compound as harmful if swallowed and labeling it an irritant rather than acutely toxic. Storage in cool, ventilated spaces away from oxidizers makes practical sense and reduces the risk of accidental exposure. Spills, if they occur, tend to be manageable — sweep up solids, avoid creating dust clouds, and use standard chemical waste protocols. Unlike high-risk chemicals, 2-undecyl-imidazole does not require explosion-proof equipment, and experienced handlers rarely see emergency situations when they stick to practice.
People in coatings and adhesives reach for 2-undecyl-imidazole as an accelerator or curing agent where conventional short-chain imidazoles won’t stick around. The compound’s longer chain means slower migration and better compatibility with hydrophobic environments, supporting corrosion protection where durability means fewer failures over time. Epoxy formulations, sealants, and specialty plastic resins gain prolonged open time without trading off long-term toughness. This matters not only for big construction and electronics — garage hobbyists and small shops use these materials for waterproofing, reinforcing, or even specialty crafts. Researchers try out new combinations, aiming for materials to solve tomorrow’s durability and performance problems. Importantly, the chain structure invites experiments — blending with other functional monomers only works if the additives stay put and don’t wash out in months.
You don’t find 2-undecyl-imidazole on every hardware store shelf, partly because the specialty market dictates buying patterns, and partly because some substitutes — tert-butyl-imidazole, shorter alkyl analogues — show up cheaper but can’t always match the balance of stability and hydrophobicity. Environmental questions arise, too, especially as regulations continue to force industry to rethink chemicals with persistent carbon chains. Sourcing more sustainable raw materials and dealing with byproduct streams remain active concerns for manufacturers and buyers alike. Some explore bio-based syntheses, drawing alkyl chains from renewable oils rather than petrochemicals, but this comes with learning curves in both chemistry and supply reliability. Better labeling, thorough MSDS disclosure, and proactive handling recommendations can shrink hazards, making the chemical less intimidating for small-scale and educational use. In practice, that means straight talk with suppliers, open documentation, and field-testing solutions that fit both budget and safety regulations without overengineering the process.
2-Undecyl-imidazole finds its place on ingredient lists not because it is the only thing that works, but because it fills a spot at the intersection of durability, stability, and compatibility that others struggle to reach. Specifiers, buyers, and end-users stick with it where performance and reliability take center stage, and the people behind the scenes contending with sourcing, safety, and regulatory issues know that the right handling and transparency make all the difference. Technical breakthroughs come and go, but practical chemicals like this stay in play when they keep delivering value without hidden costs.
