Menthol

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Derived from peppermint oil. It is used for its counter-irritant and soothing properties. No more than 1% should be compounded into a product as it can be irritating to the mucous membranes. When properly used, however, it is an excellent herbal extract.

Menthol (Wikipedia)
Not to be confused with Methanol or Methanal.

Menthol is an organic compound, more specifically a monoterpenoid, made synthetically or obtained from the oils of corn mint, peppermint, or other mints. It is a waxy, clear or white crystalline substance, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above.

Menthol
(−)-Menthol
Ball-and-stick model of (−)-menthol
Menthol Crystals.JPG
Menthol crystals.jpg
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
5-Methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol
Other names
2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexan-1-ol
2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol
3-p-Menthanol
Hexahydrothymol
Menthomenthol
Peppermint camphor
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.016.992 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 218-690-9
KEGG
RTECS number
  • OT0350000, racemic
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-,9+,10-/m1/s1 checkY
    Key: NOOLISFMXDJSKH-KXUCPTDWSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-,9+,10-/m1/s1
  • Key: NOOLISFMXDJSKH-KXUCPTDWSA-N
  • O[C@H]1[C@H](C(C)C)CC[C@@H](C)C1
Properties
C10H20O
Molar mass 156.269 g·mol−1
Appearance White or colorless crystalline solid
Density 0.890 g·cm−3, solid
(racemic or (−)-isomer)
Melting point 36–38 °C (97–100 °F; 309–311 K) racemic
42–45 °C, (−)-isomer, α crystalline form
Boiling point 214.6 °C (418.3 °F; 487.8 K)
Slightly soluble, (−)-isomer
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Irritant, flammable
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H315, H319
P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
2
0
0
Flash point 93 °C (199 °F; 366 K)
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Related alcohols
 Cyclohexanol, Pulegol,
Dihydrocarveol, Piperitol
Related compounds
 Menthone, Menthene,
Thymol, p-Cymene,
Citronellal
Supplementary data page
Menthol (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation. Menthol also acts as a weak κ-opioid receptor agonist.

Related Articles:
Alternative Meanings:
  • Menthol

    Menthol is a well-recognized element that is found in a variety of items including cosmetics, chocolate, gum, toothpaste and cigarettes. It is derived from the essential oil of the Mentha species, giving them their distinct minty smell and flavor. When it comes to skincare, however, menthol is a complicated issue. It can provide a cooling sensation that can last up to 70 minutes, and it has medicinal properties that can reduce pain, itchiness, and bacterial or fungal growth. Additionally, it can also enhance skin penetration. On the other hand, menthol can also act as an irritant that increases the amount of water lost from the outer layer of skin, leading to dehydration. It is both naturally derived from peppermint oil and synthetically manufactured in abundance.

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