2-Ethylhexanol is produced industrially by the aldol condensation of nbutyraldehyde, followed by hydrogenation of the resulting hydroxyaldehyde.

About 2,500,000 tons are prepared in this way annually.[2][3] The nbutyraldehyde is made by hydroformylation of propylene, either in a selfcontained plant or as the first step in a fully integrated facility. Most facilities
make n-butanol and isobutanol in addition to 2-ethylhexanol.