Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Benzyl alcohol
| General | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Benzyl alcohol | ||
| Chemical Formula | C6H5CH2OH | ||
| Physical | |||
| Formula weight | 108.14 amu | ||
| Specific gravity | 1.046 | ||
| Appearance | clear, colorless liquid | ||
| Boiling point | 203 - 205 °C | ||
Benzyl alcohol, also known as phenylmethanol, is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It melts at 15 °C and boils at 205 °C. Benzyl alcohol has a good solvency, low toxicity and low vapor pressure. It is soluble in water and readily soluble in alcohol and ether. Benzyl alcohol is prepared by the hydrolysis of benzyl chloride in the presence of soda ash. It reacts with acids (acetic, benzoic, and sebacic acids) to form esters and other compounds.
Applications
Benzyl alcohol is used as a general solvent for inks, paints, lacquers and epoxy resin coatings. It is also used as a raw material of various esters, used in the soap, perfume, and flavor industries. It is also used as a photographic developer and in perfumes, flavor industries , pharmaceuticals as a bacteriostatic.
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