Dehydration of 1,6-hexanediol gives oxepane, 2-methyltetrahydropyran and 2-ethyltetrahydrofuran. Corresponding thiophene and pyrrolidone can be made by reacting 1,6-hexanediol with hydrogen sulfide and ammonia respectively.[6]
1,6-Hexanediol can improve the hardness and flexibility of polyesters as it contains a fairly long hydrocarbon chain. In polyurethanes, it is used as a chain extender, and the resulting modified polyurethane has high resistance to hydrolysis as well as mechanical strength, but with a low glass transition temperature.
1,6-Hexanediol has been used to characterize biomolecular condensates. The material properties of condensates can be examined to determine if they are solid or liquid condensates. 1,6-Hexanediol has been reported to interfere with weak hydrophobic protein-protein or protein-RNA interactions that comprise liquid condensates. 1,6-Hexanediol has been reported to dissolve liquid but not solid condensates.[7]2,5-Hexanediol and 1,4-butanediol have been observed to have minimal effect on behavior of disorderd proteins as compared to 1,6-hexanediol.[8][9]
Safety
1,6-Hexanediol[10] has low toxicity and low flammability, and is generally considered as safe. It is not irritating to skin, but may irritate the respiratory tract or mucous membranes. Dust or vapor of the compound can irritate or damage the eyes.[1]