Title: Benzyl Alcohol
CAS Registry Number: 100-51-6
CAS Name: Benzenemethanol
Synonyms: phenylcarbinol; phenylmethanol; a-hydroxytoluene
Molecular Formula: C7H8O
Molecular Weight: 108.14
Percent Composition: C 77.75%, H 7.46%, O 14.80%
Line Formula: C6H5CH2OH
Literature References: Constituent of jasmine, hyacinth, ylang-ylang oils, Peru and Tolu balsams, storax, where it occurs in ester form also. Originally prepd by the Cannizzaro reaction from benzaldehyde + KOH: Cannizzaro,
Ann. 88, 129 (1853);
cf. Hickinbottom,
Reactions of Organic Compds. (Longmans, London, 3rd ed., 1957) p 251; A. I. Vogel,
Practical Organic Chemistry (Longmans, London, 3rd ed., 1959) p 711; Gattermann-Wieland,
Praxis des Organischen Chemikers (de Gruyter, Berlin, 40th ed., 1961) p 193. Produced on a large scale by the action of sodium or potassium carbonate on benzyl chloride:
DE 484662;
Chem. Zentralbl. 1930, I, 1052;
Frdl. 16, 426;
cf. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 3 (Interscience, New York, 1964) pp 442-449. Toxicity: Smyth
et al., Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Med. 4, 119 (1951).
Properties: Liquid. Faint aromatic odor. Sharp burning taste. d420 1.04535; d425 1.04156. mp -15.19°. bp760 204.7°; bp400 183.0°; bp200 160.0°; bp100 141.7°; bp60 129.3°; bp40 119.8°; bp20 105.8°; bp10 92.6°; bp5 80.8°; bp1.0 58.0°.
nD20 1.54035;
nD25 1.53837: Dreisbach, Martin,
Ind. Eng. Chem. 41, 2875 (1941). Absorption spectrum: Brode,
J. Phys. Chem. 30, 61 (1926). Vapor density 3.72 (air = 1.00). Flash pt, closed cup 213°F, open cup 220°F. Autoignition temp 817°F. One gram dissolves in about 25 ml water. One volume dissolves in 1.5 vols of 50% ethyl alcohol. Misc with abs and 94% alcohol, ether, chloroform. LD50 orally in rats: 3.1 g/kg (Smyth).
Melting point: mp -15.19°
Boiling point: bp760 204.7°; bp400 183.0°; bp200 160.0°; bp100 141.7°; bp60 129.3°; bp40 119.8°; bp20 105.8°; bp10 92.6°; bp5 80.8°; bp1.0 58.0°
Flash point: Flash pt, closed cup 213°F, open cup 220°F
Index of refraction: nD20 1.54035;
nD25 1.53837: Dreisbach, Martin,
Ind. Eng. Chem. 41, 2875 (1941)
Density: d420 1.04535; d425 1.04156
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: 3.1 g/kg (Smyth)
Use: Manuf other benzyl compds. Pharmaceutic aid (antimicrobial). Solvent for gelatin, casein (when hot), solvent for cellulose acetate, shellac. Used in perfumery and in flavoring (mostly in form of its aliphatic esters). In microscopy as embedding material.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Has been used for relief from pruritis.
