Benzyl alcohol
- Phenylmethanol
- Phenylcarbinol
- E 1519
- BnOH
P03? ?
Colorless liquid with a faint, aromatic odor
Liquid
1.04 g · cm -3 ( 20 ° C)
-15 ° C
206 ° C
2.7 Pa ( 20 ° C)
- Moderately in water ( 39 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)
- Soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether
- Miscible with aromatic solvents, linseed and castor oil
1.5396 (20 ° C)
Attention
Not yet classified
1230 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)
Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available
Benzyl alcohol or Phenylmethanol is a chemical compound from the class of alcohols. Use it finds as a fragrance and flavoring agent.
Occurrence and representation
Benzyl alcohol is included to 6 percent in jasmine oil, but also in clove oil, gold lacquer oil, Peru balsam and styrax. It may be synthesized by reaction of benzyl chloride with alkali metal carbonates or by reduction of benzaldehyde.
Properties
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless, somewhat oily liquid with a mild, pleasant scent, but a bitter, numbing taste. The compound is readily soluble in most organic solvents, and in water it is appreciably soluble. Benzyl alcohol is oxidized in the air slowly benzaldehyde.
Esters of benzyl alcohol with different monocarboxylic acids have fragrance character, such as benzyl acetate and benzyl benzoate.
Use
It is an important solvent in the paint and ink industry, additives for ballpoint ink, dyeing auxiliaries and disinfection agents, development accelerators in the color Photochemistry and starting material for the preparation of esters. It is also used as a preservative for injectable solutions and for cosmetics.
It dissolves cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, fats, oils and resins, is approved extraction solvents and reactive solvent in many construction chemicals and a component of paint strippers, many essential plant oils and is used as Viskositätsregulanz.
In the EU it is approved as a food additive with the E number 1519 for the production of flavors for certain beverages, confectionery and bakery products. Here, a maximum limit of 5 mg per kilogram of body weight is considered together for benzoic acid and benzoates. Benzyl alcohol is considered safe, but it is known as an allergen.
Furthermore, a distributed antiseptic lozenge under the trade name " Neo Borocillina Antisettico Orofaringeo " in Italy, which contains sodium benzoate and 6.4% benzyl alcohol. Sites of action should be the throat and gums.
Benzyl alcohol lotion for head lice
Under the trade name Ulesfia ®, the U.S. FDA has on 9 April 2009 granted marketing approval for a new drug for the treatment of head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis). The lotion contains as active ingredient 5% benzyl alcohol and 5 % mineral oil as a carrier and other excipients. The preparation can be used to Afflicted from the age of six months.
After contact with benzyl alcohol, the parasites can no longer close the breathing holes. The carrier may then clog the airways and the lice are killed by suffocation. Benzyl alcohol had no effect on the nits. According to studies, the application security of benzyl alcohol lotion is assessed positively, even in young children. Resistance development is not expected.
The lotion is applied to dry hair and rinsed out after a contact time of ten minutes with water. The treatment must be repeated after 7 days, as the product is not effective against nits. Ulesfia is prescription and available in the U.S.; Dates for approval in Europe and other countries are not yet published (November 2009).
Safety
Benzyl alcohol has a skin and mucous membranes.