Dodecanedioic Acid: Detailed Product Overview

What Is Dodecanedioic Acid?

Dodecanedioic acid stands out as a versatile dicarboxylic acid with the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₂O₄. The structure consists of a straight twelve-carbon chain with a carboxyl group attached to both ends, giving it a marked molecular weight of 230.30 g/mol. Its chemical formula reveals the symmetry and balance in its composition, providing it with stability and a reliable foundation for synthesis in various industrial applications. The solid form often displays as white to off-white powder, crystalline flakes, or sometimes as pearls. It does not occur in a liquid state under normal conditions, instead shifting to a liquid phase at elevated temperatures during manufacturing processes or specialized formulation work. The density remains fairly consistent, with reported values typically falling in the range of 1.18 g/cm³ at ambient temperature. As a raw material, it often gets packed in multi-layered paper bags or drums, ensuring the safety and integrity of the acid during storage and transit.

Physical Properties

The melting point of dodecanedioic acid hovers around 124°C, and it delivers a high degree of purity with most commercial lots registering above 99% assay. In water, its solubility is low, reinforcing its preference for organic solvents in both laboratory and industrial contexts. Its crystalline lattice locks the molecules closely together, giving the material a firm structure that resists caking under normal humidity levels. Dodecanedioic acid powder flows freely, which helps during processing steps such as mixing, metering, or extrusion. As pearls and flakes, the material is less dusty but just as potent chemically. No significant odor arises from the solid, and unlike shorter-chain acids, it causes less irritation when handled with routine personal protective equipment. Specific gravity references compare it close to water but allow better suspension in polymer blends. This acid’s physical resilience makes it a solid performer for manufacturing specialty polyamides and high-performance coatings.

Chemical Behavior and Safety Considerations

The acid reacts with bases to form dodecanedioate salts and delivers predictable behavior under most common laboratory conditions. It maintains stability under standard warehouse lighting, humidity, and temperature profiles. Dodecanedioic acid does not ignite easily or sustain combustion in its solid state, reducing hazardous material concerns relative to many organic acids. Safety data suggest potential for mild skin and eye irritation with direct contact, though no lasting harmful effects occur with basic industrial hygiene. When dealing with dodecanedioic acid dust, standard dust masks and goggles offer suitable protection against particulate exposure. Inhalation risks remain low compared to other industrial chemicals, yet ample ventilation improves working conditions and keeps accumulation below recommended occupational exposure limits. This acid is not classified as a hazardous material for highway transport under most global standards, and its HS Code — 2917.13 — signals its category as a carboxylic acid with additional oxygen function. Consistent labeling and documentation support transparency along the supply chain.

Industrial Applications and Material Role

Dodecanedioic acid goes mainly toward the synthesis of specialty nylons, where its long carbon chain and bifunctional structure impart enhanced flexibility, chemical resistance, and thermal stability compared to shorter-chain dicarboxylic acids. Nylon 612, one of the flagship products derived from this acid, finds use in engineering plastics, automotive tubing, and high-frequency electrical insulation materials. The acid’s solid, flake, or pearl forms adapt to the production requirements of fibers, engineering resins, and toughened polymers. With roots in both petrochemical and some bio-based production, dodecanedioic acid brings flexibility to sourcing strategies and helps manufacturers meet sustainability mandates when using fermentation-based raw materials. This material appears in powder coatings, adhesives, lubricants, and even corrosion inhibitors, especially where low volatility and high purity are needed. Some companies experiment with it in new textile finishes, medical devices, and construction chemicals for demanding weather exposure profiles.

Specifications, Purity, and Storage

Manufacturers set specifications for dodecanedioic acid with attention to purity, particle size, and residual organic impurities, which may affect downstream processing or product performance. Standard material offers at least 99% purity by gas chromatography, while particle sizes range from micronized powders to larger crystalline chunks depending on customer requirements. Packing density, flow properties, and moisture content all influence its utility as a raw material and call for robust quality control. The acid stores well under dry, ambient conditions in sealed bags or drums, safe from water uptake and direct sunlight. Distributors and end users alike appreciate clear labeling showing batch number, net weight, production date, and the all-important HS Code, which eases customs clearance and regulatory checks. Material safety data sheets identify storage recommendations — avoid contact with strong bases, oxidizers, and sources of ignition, and use grounded equipment for handling powder at scale to avert static discharge.

Risks, Hazards, and Responsible Use

While dodecanedioic acid does not carry the highest risk profile among industrial chemicals, its solid form presents routine challenges around dust control and mechanical handling. Handling the acid at elevated temperatures, such as during melt phase processing or solvent solution preparation, can increase risk of thermal burns or irritation through accidental splashes. Consistent use of gloves, goggles, and long sleeves preserves worker safety and builds reliability in manufacturing routines. Bulk transfer processes employ dust extractors, negative pressure systems, or closed hoppers to limit environmental release and accidental ingestion or inhalation. Although not labeled as harmful to the environment at routine concentrations, regulatory frameworks encourage spill containment and swift cleanup in case of accidents. Proper ventilation, basic personal protection, and clear signage ensure smooth operations, while incident response protocols address rare exposures or spills. Businesses value transparency — routine safety training and easy access to chemical data sheets reinforce a safety-first mind-set and keep regulatory compliance in check.

Supporting Science and Reliable Sourcing

Peer-reviewed studies and open literature back up the role of dodecanedioic acid as a key building block in numerous high-value material streams. Data from producers, regulatory filings, and end users describe the compound as predictable, stable, and capable of scaling from small laboratory runs to full industrial manufacturing campaigns. Large global suppliers maintain rigorous quality standards, reflecting best practices laid out by OECD and ISO. Sourcing managers and technical buyers trust the traceability of the product, with each shipment clearly aligned with both the stated chemical formula and the required performance specifications. Efforts to boost bio-based production are ongoing, with microbial fermentation yielding dodecanedioic acid from renewable carbohydrates, signaling room for reduced environmental impact if volumes can match traditional processes. Across transportation, packaging, and procurement, checks against the supplied HS Code keep border crossings and warehousing running smoothly, whether for powdered cargo or chunky solids.

Opportunities For Better Practice

Growing demand for high-performance plastics, safer chemical handling, and green manufacturing all push the industry to refine its approach to dodecanedioic acid. On the plant floor, clear handling guides ensure powder, flake, or pearl formats move safely from bags to reactors with minimized exposure and waste. Investment in better containment, powder transfer, and automated weighing brings measurable gains in both safety and efficiency. Upstream, diversifying raw material sources — including greater reliance on biological rather than fossil routes — helps counter the economic volatility tied to petrochemical feedstocks. Research teams pursue new ways to recover and recycle dodecanedioic acid-based polymers, aiming to lower total lifecycle impact for key end-use products in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods. Within research, sharing practical tips and detailed safety updates lets workers on every level anticipate challenges before they hit the shop floor or lab bench. By holding to stricter purity standards and investing in modern storage and transport, businesses keep supply lines robust and risk at a minimum, protecting both people and products. Through this kind of North Star-focused approach, dodecanedioic acid continues to prove its worth — not just as a chemical formula in a book, but as a tested material in workers’ hands and finished goods on shelves.