Benzyl Alcohol is a clear liquid that is used in products as a natural preservative. It is an organic alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits (apricots, cranberries) and teas. Its chief function in cosmetics is as a preservative, and it’s among the least sensitizing preservatives in use.
Related Reading:
- https://www.byrdie.com/benzyl-alcohol-for-skin-4774552
- https://thedermreview.com/benzyl-alcohol/
- https://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/benzyl-alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with the formula C6H5CH2OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn" (not to be confused with "Bz" which is used for benzoyl), thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent due to its polarity, low toxicity, and low vapor pressure. Benzyl alcohol has moderate solubility in water (4 g/100 mL) and is miscible in alcohols and diethyl ether. The anion produced by deprotonation of the alcohol group is known as benzylate or benzyloxide.
Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
Phenylmethanol | |
Other names
Phenylcarbinol
Benzenemethanol | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.002.600 |
EC Number |
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E number | E1519 (additional chemicals) |
KEGG | |
PubChem CID
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RTECS number |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C7H8O | |
Molar mass | 108.140 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Colorless liquid |
Odor | Slightly aromatic |
Density | 1.044 g/cm3 |
Melting point | −15.2 °C (4.6 °F; 257.9 K) |
Boiling point | 205.3 °C (401.5 °F; 478.4 K) |
3.50 g/100 mL (20 °C) 4.29 g/100 mL (25 °C) | |
Solubility in other solvents | Soluble[vague] in benzene, methanol, chloroform, ethanol, ether, acetone |
log P | 1.10 |
Vapor pressure | 0.18 kPa (60 °C) |
Acidity (pKa) | 15.40 |
−71.83·10−6 cm3/mol | |
Refractive index (nD)
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1.5396 |
Viscosity | 5.474 cP |
1.67 D | |
Thermochemistry | |
Std molar
entropy (S⦵298) |
217.8 J/(K·mol) |
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH⦵298) |
−352 kJ/mol |
Pharmacology | |
P03AX06 (WHO) | |
Hazards | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Flash point | 93 °C (199 °F; 366 K) |
436 °C (817 °F; 709 K) | |
Explosive limits | 1.3–13% |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose)
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1250 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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