Liquid alcohol 100-51-6

for the pharmaceutical industry

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 is partially soluble in water (4g/100mL) and completely miscible in alcohols and diethyl ether. The anion produced by deprotonation of the alcohol group is known as benzylate or benzyloxide. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless clear oily liquid; its odor type is floral and its odor at 100% is described as ‘floral rose phenolic balsamic’.Benzyl alcohol is used in cosmetics as afragrance component, preservative, solvent and diluting agent for perfumes and flavors, and viscosity-decreasing agent. It is used as a solvent for surface-coating materials, cellulose esters and ethers, alkyd resins,acrylic resins, fats, dyestuffs,casein (when hot), gelatin, shellac and waxes. It is added in small amounts to surface-coating materials to improve their flow and gloss. In the textile industry, benzyl alcohol is used as anauxiliary in the dyeing of wool, polyamides, and polyesters. In pharmacy it is used as a local anesthetic ingredient in over-the-counter anorectal, oral healthcare and topical analgesic drug products and, because of its antimicrobial effect, as an ingredient of ointments and other preparations.