Phenylacetaldehyde

• Phenylethanal
• Hyacinthin
• Alpha- tolualdehyde

Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor

Liquid

1.03 g · cm -3

-10 ° C

195 ° C

0.35 Pa ( 19 ° C)

• In water ( 2.2 g · l-1 (25 ° C))
• Soluble in ethanol and ether
• Insoluble in glycerol

From 1.524 to 1.528 (at 20 ° C)

Attention

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Phenylacetaldehyde or Phenylethanal is a naturally occurring aromatic compound from the substance group of aldehydes.

Occurrence

Phenylacetaldehyde is found in buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum), chocolate and many other foods. Even in a large number of plants is this substance before and odorant, including apples, blackberries, potatoes, melons, peaches, tamarind and tomatoes. In particularly high concentration occurs in the Brazilian seed oil from Lecythis usitata var paraensis ( 28.20 %), the Mori- seed oil from Eschweilera coriacea (2.40 %) and chicory extract (1.04 %) before.

Production and representation

Phenylacetaldehyde can be obtained by:

• Catalytic isomerization of styrene oxide
• Oxidation of 2 -phenylethanol with chromic acid

Properties

Because of its reactivity with aldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde polymerized to the air and is thereby more viscous. In the self-condensation to 2,4,6- tribenzyl -1 ,3,5- trioxane is mainly.

The flash point is 87 ° C.

Phenylacetaldehyde, along with other substances, a carrier of the antibiotic effect of maggot therapy.

Use

Industrially phenylacetaldehyde is used in perfumery, including as a tobacco additive to improve the flavor of cigarettes. The amino acid phenylalanine may be produced by the Strecker synthesis from phenylacetaldehyde.

Pharmacology

Many insects (Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Neuroptera ) use this aldehyde for chemical communication ( pheromone ).