Benzyl alcohol

Not to be confused with benzoic acid, cresol, or phenol.

Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Phenylmethanol
(Hydroxymethyl)benzene
Other names
Benzyl alcohol
α-Cresol
α-Toluenol
α-Hydroxytoluene
alpha-Hydroxyphenylmethane
Phenylcarbinol
Benzenemethanol
Benzyl hydroxide
Benzylic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.002.600 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 202-859-9
E number E1519 (additional chemicals)
KEGG
RTECS number
  • DN3150000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H8O/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8H,6H2 checkY
    Key: WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H8O/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8H,6H2
    Key: WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYAH
  • c1ccc(cc1)CO
  • c1ccc(cc1)CO
Properties[1]
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 Miscible with 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
1.5396
Viscosity 5.474 cP
1.67 D
Thermochemistry
217.8 J/(K·mol)
−352 kJ/mol
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentineFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
1
1
0
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):
1250 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Pharmacology
P03AX06 (WHO)
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 ?)

Benzyl alcohol (also known as α-cresol) 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 useful as a solvent for 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.

  1. ^ "Benzyl alcohol". Archived from the original on 26 July 2009.