Product Details
Benzyl alcohol, also referred to as phenylmethanol, has the molecular formula C₆H₅CH₂OH and a density of 1.045 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.). It is the simplest aromatic alcohol containing a phenyl group and can be viewed either as benzene with a hydroxymethyl substituent or as methanol with a phenyl substituent. This compound is a colorless, clear, thick liquid with a mild fragrant scent. Occasionally, upon prolonged storage, benzyl alcohol may develop a faint bitter almond odor resembling that of benzaldehyde due to oxidation. It is polar, has low toxicity, and exhibits low vapor pressure, making it suitable as an alcoholic solvent. It is also flammable. Benzyl alcohol is sparingly soluble in water (approximately 1 g dissolves in 25 mL of water) but mixes readily with organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, benzene, and chloroform.
Naturally, benzyl alcohol occurs in essential oils either in free form or as esters, for example in jasmine oil, ylang-ylang oil, plumeria oil, hyacinth oil, moonflower oil, Peru balsam, and Tolu balsam. Long-term storage of benzyl alcohol is not recommended, as it gradually oxidizes in air to form benzaldehyde and anisole. Consequently, commercial benzyl alcohol often carries the distinct almond-like fragrance of benzaldehyde. Moreover, benzyl alcohol can be readily oxidized to benzoic acid by various oxidizing agents (e.g., concentrated nitric acid).
This compound possesses anesthetic properties but can also cause significant irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It is harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Ingestion may lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, seizures, unconsciousness, and, in extreme cases, death. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) for rats is 1230 mg/kg. Once in the body, benzyl alcohol is first oxidized to benzoic acid, which then conjugates with glycine in the liver and is excreted as hippuric acid. When used as a solvent in intramuscular injections, benzyl alcohol may induce gluteal muscle contracture.
Product Parameter
| Melting point | -15 °C |
| Boiling point | 205 °C |
| density | 1.045 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.) |
| vapor density | 3.7 (vs air) |
| vapor pressure | 13.3 mm Hg ( 100 °C) |
| FEMA | 2137 | BENZYL ALCOHOL |
| refractive index | n20/D 1.539(lit.) |
| Fp | 201 °F |
| storage temp. | Store at +2°C to +25°C. |
| solubility | H2O: 33 mg/mL, clear, colorless |
| pka | 14.36±0.10(Predicted) |
| form | Liquid |
| color | APHA: ≤20 |
| Odor | Mild, pleasant. |
| Relative polarity | 0.608 |
| explosive limit | 1.3-13%(V) |
| Odor Type | floral |
| biological source | synthetic |
| Water Solubility | 4.29 g/100 mL (20 ºC) |
| Merck | 14,1124 |
| JECFA Number | 25 |
| BRN | 878307 |
| Henry's Law Constant | <2.70 x 10-7 at 25 °C (thermodynamic method-GC/UV, Altschuh et al., 1999) |
| Exposure limits | No exposure limit is set. Because of its low vapor pressure and low toxicity, the health hazard to humans from occupational exposure should be very low. |
| Dielectric constant | 13.1（20℃） |
| InChIKey | WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| LogP | 1.05 at 20℃ |
| Surface tension | 39.2mN/m at 293.15K |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 100-51-6(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Benzyl alcohol(100-51-6) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Benzyl alcohol (100-51-6) |
Safety Information
| Hazard Codes | Xn,T |
| Risk Statements | 20/22-63-43-36/37/38-23/24/25-45-40 |
| Safety Statements | 26-36/37-24/25-23-53 |
| RIDADR | UN 1593 6.1/PG 3 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | DN3150000 |
| F | 8-10-23-35 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 817 °F |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 29062100 |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 100-51-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in rats: 3.1 g/kg (Smyth) |
