Linear Alpha Olefins
The comonomer behind LLDPE and HDPE film-grade resin — plus a key feedstock for surfactants, synthetic lubricants and oilfield chemicals.
Chelora Chemicals supplies 1-hexene, 1-octene and other linear alpha olefin cuts to polyethylene and specialty-chemical producers worldwide.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 68410-00-8 (mixture); individual cuts have their own CAS
- Carbon range (commercial)
- Mainly C6 (1-hexene) and C8 (1-octene); C4-C20+ available
- Functional group
- Terminal (alpha-position) carbon-carbon double bond
- Form supplied
- Liquid (cut-dependent boiling range)
- Key cuts
- 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene and higher
- Production route
- Ethylene oligomerisation
- UN Number
- UN 3295 (typical, cut dependent)
- HS Code
- 2901 29
Note: LAO is supplied as individual carbon-chain cuts (1-hexene, 1-octene, etc.) rather than as a single mixture; confirm your required cut and purity with our technical desk.
What LAO is used for
Linear Alpha Olefins (LAO) are a family of straight-chain hydrocarbons with a carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal (alpha) position, produced by the catalytic oligomerisation of ethylene. Commercial LAO production yields a distribution of carbon-chain lengths from C4 to C20 and beyond, which is separated by distillation into individual cuts for sale.
LAO's largest use is as comonomers in LLDPE and HDPE production — principally 1-hexene and 1-octene — copolymerised with ethylene to introduce short-chain branching that improves film toughness, clarity and flexibility. Other significant uses include conversion into detergent-range alcohols and surfactants, oligomerisation into polyalphaolefin (PAO) synthetic lubricant base stocks, and use as oilfield chemical intermediates and in plasticiser-alcohol production.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Ethylene the sole feedstock, catalytically oligomerised into LAO. See that page.
- Linear Alpha Olefins (this product) the comonomer and surfactant/lubricant feedstock for the applications below.
- Polyethylene LLDPE / HDPE the dominant downstream use as comonomer. See LLDPE.
Handling character
LAO cuts are highly flammable liquids, with specific hazard profile varying by carbon-chain length. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid (cut dependent) |
| Purity (alpha-olefin content) | 96-99% min (polymer-grade cuts) |
| Specific cut | 1-hexene / 1-octene / other, as agreed |
| Internal olefin / paraffin content | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Colourless liquid, boiling point rising with carbon chain length |
| Boiling point (1-hexene) | 63 °C |
| Boiling point (1-octene) | 121 °C |
| Functional group | Terminal carbon-carbon double bond |
| Water solubility | Very low (practically insoluble) |
| Flammability | Highly flammable liquid (flash point varies by cut) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 68410-00-8 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put LAO to work
The comonomer behind film-grade polyethylene, plus surfactant and synthetic-lubricant chains.
LLDPE / HDPE comonomer
1-hexene and 1-octene copolymerised with ethylene for improved film toughness, clarity and flexibility.
- Polymer-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Detergent alcohols & surfactants
Hydroformylated or oxidised into detergent-range alcohols for surfactant manufacture.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Polyalphaolefin (PAO) synthetic lubricants
Oligomerised into PAO base stocks for high-performance synthetic lubricants.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Oilfield chemicals
Used as an intermediate in oilfield chemical formulations, including drilling fluid components.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Plasticiser alcohols
Converted into branched alcohols for specialty plasticiser esters.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Polyethylene and specialty-chemical plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Linear Alpha Olefins
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Alpha-olefin purity and specific carbon-chain cut are critical to downstream comonomer, surfactant and PAO performance — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required cut and grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Specific cut and purity confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream comonomer, surfactant and PAO performance.
- UN classification documentation managed end to end. Classification varies by carbon-chain cut and is confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- 1-hexene, 1-octene and other cuts all sourced. Matched precisely to your end-use specification.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, tote or bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200-210 litre drums
Steel drums for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 litre totes
Returnable or one-way IBC totes sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
ISO tank or flexi-tank bulk shipment for continuous-consumption polyethylene plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Highly flammable — handle accordingly
LAO cuts are highly flammable liquids, generally with low acute toxicity, though specific hazard classification varies by carbon-chain length. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch and cut is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H224/H225/H226Extremely to highly flammable liquid and vapour (varies by cut).H304May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (aspiration hazard, cut dependent).Low chronic toxicityGenerally low chronic toxicity relative to many other olefins.
Flammability is the primary hazard. Specific flash point and classification vary significantly by carbon-chain cut; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and cut.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat, sunlight and oxidising agents.
Handling
Use solvent-resistant gloves and eye protection for liquid transfer. Provide adequate ventilation; avoid prolonged inhalation and skin contact; manage ignition sources per the cut's specific flash point.
Transport
Typically shipped as UN 3295 (Hydrocarbons, liquid, n.o.s.) or a cut-specific UN number for lighter cuts (e.g. 1-butene). We confirm and document exact classification for your specific shipment, cut and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Alpha-olefin purity, specific cut and internal-olefin content confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How LAO is made
LAO is produced industrially by the catalytic oligomerisation of ethylene, typically using organometallic (e.g. ethylaluminium or zirconium-based) catalyst systems that build up the carbon chain from ethylene monomer units while preserving the terminal double bond. The resulting broad carbon-chain distribution is separated by fractional distillation into individual commercial cuts.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Terminal (alpha) olefin hydrocarbon |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Terminal carbon-carbon double bond |
| Reactivity | Copolymerisation with ethylene; hydroformylation (alcohols); oligomerisation (PAO) |
| Related compounds | Ethylene (feedstock), Polyethylene LLDPE/HDPE (comonomer end use) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Linear Alpha Olefins, answered
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