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Phenylcarbinol, commonly known as Benzyl Alcohol, is an aromatic primary alcohol consisting of a phenyl group attached to a hydroxymethyl group.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a solvent, preservative, fragrance ingredient, formulation auxiliary, and chemical intermediate in numerous industrial and consumer applications.
Phenylcarbinol combines moderate water solubility, excellent compatibility with many organic substances, low volatility, and useful antimicrobial activity.
CAS Number: 100-51-6
EC Number: 202-859-9
Molecular Formula: C₇H₈O
Molecular Weight: 108.14 g/mol
SYNONYMS
Phenylcarbinol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzenemethanol, Phenylmethanol, Alpha-Hydroxytoluene, α-Hydroxytoluene, Hydroxymethylbenzene, Phenylmethyl Alcohol, Phenyl Methyl Alcohol, Benzene Carbinol, Benzene Methanol, Benzoyl Alcohol, Benzenyl Alcohol, Phenyl Carbinol, (Hydroxymethyl)benzene, Methanol, Phenyl-, Benzylalcohol, Benzyl Alcoholum, Alcohol Benzylicus, Benzenemethyl Alcohol, Benzenecarbinol, Benzene Methanol Alcohol, Aromatic Benzyl Alcohol, Aromatic Primary Alcohol, Monobenzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Toluenol, α-Toluenol, Omega-Hydroxytoluene, ω-Hydroxytoluene, Phenylmethan-1-ol, Phenylmethanol Alcohol, Hydroxytoluene, Benzyl Hydroxide, Benzyl-OH, C₆H₅CH₂OH, C6H5CH2OH, C₇H₈O, C7H8O, CAS 100-51-6, EC 202-859-9, EINECS 202-859-9, FEMA 2137, UNII LKG8494WBH, PubChem CID 244, NSC 8044, Benzyl Alcohol NF, Benzyl Alcohol BP, Benzyl Alcohol EP, Benzyl Alcohol USP, Pharmaceutical-Grade Benzyl Alcohol, Cosmetic-Grade Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance-Grade Benzyl Alcohol, Industrial-Grade Benzyl Alcohol, High-Purity Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol Solvent, Benzyl Alcohol Preservative, Benzyl Alcohol Fragrance Ingredient, Benzyl Alcohol Chemical Intermediate
APPLICATIONS
Phenylcarbinol serves as a high-boiling solvent in industrial coatings that require controlled evaporation and extended application time.
Phenylcarbinol improves resin flow, pigment wetting, leveling, and film formation in properly formulated coating systems.
Phenylcarbinol supports waterborne acrylic coatings as a coalescing and coupling solvent for polymer particles and organic formulation ingredients.
Phenylcarbinol helps compatible waterborne coatings form continuous films when ambient drying conditions would otherwise limit coalescence.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a solvent and viscosity-reducing auxiliary in epoxy resin formulations.
Phenylcarbinol allows epoxy coatings, adhesives, flooring systems, and casting materials to be applied more easily when compatibility has been confirmed.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to amine-cured epoxy systems by modifying viscosity, wetting behavior, working time, and cure development.
Phenylcarbinol can influence epoxy curing through interactions with amine hardeners and hydroxyl-sensitive reaction mechanisms.
Phenylcarbinol facilitates pigment dispersion in protective coatings, maintenance paints, primers, and industrial topcoats.
Phenylcarbinol helps liquid coating vehicles penetrate pigment agglomerates and distribute colorants more uniformly.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a solvent in wood coatings, stains, varnishes, and furniture-finishing formulations.
Phenylcarbinol supports smooth application and controlled drying on prepared wood, veneer, and engineered wood surfaces.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to metal coatings formulated for machinery, fabricated components, tools, and industrial equipment.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve compatible resins and additives while promoting uniform coating distribution over prepared metal surfaces.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a solvent in printing inks used for selected packaging, publication, decorative, and industrial printing processes.
Phenylcarbinol provides controlled evaporation that can support ink transfer, substrate wetting, and print-film formation.
Phenylcarbinol supports flexographic and gravure ink formulations containing compatible binders, pigments, dyes, and performance additives.
Phenylcarbinol helps adjust viscosity and open time when faster solvents would evaporate too rapidly during printing.
Phenylcarbinol facilitates the preparation of specialty ink concentrates and pigment dispersions.
Phenylcarbinol enables colorants and resin components to remain distributed throughout properly stabilized liquid systems.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a solvent and formulation auxiliary in pressure-sensitive, construction, assembly, and specialty adhesives.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve or plasticize compatible adhesive resins and improves application over porous or irregular substrates.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to sealants and caulking formulations requiring controlled viscosity and surface wetting.
Phenylcarbinol supports uniform application when Phenylcarbinol remains compatible with polymers, fillers, catalysts, and curing agents.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a solvent in paint removers, coating strippers, and cleaning formulations designed to soften organic films.
Phenylcarbinol penetrates compatible resins and can assist the removal of dried paint, adhesive, ink, and coating residues.
Phenylcarbinol supports industrial degreasers used to remove oils, processing residues, and organic contamination from compatible surfaces.
Phenylcarbinol combines solvency with moderate water compatibility, allowing Phenylcarbinol to function in selected semi-aqueous cleaning systems.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a dye carrier and solvent in textile-processing formulations.
Phenylcarbinol helps selected dyes penetrate or distribute across synthetic and natural textile materials under controlled processing conditions.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to textile-printing pastes containing dyes, pigments, binders, and rheology modifiers.
Phenylcarbinol improves compatibility between water-soluble and oil-compatible components in suitably designed printing systems.
Phenylcarbinol supports leather dyes, finishes, coatings, and conditioning formulations.
Phenylcarbinol assists the distribution of colorants, resins, fragrances, and finishing auxiliaries over leather surfaces.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a fragrance ingredient with a mild floral, balsamic, and slightly sweet aromatic character.
Phenylcarbinol contributes directly to fragrance profiles while also dissolving and carrying less water-compatible perfume ingredients.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a fragrance solvent in perfumes, eau de toilette products, body sprays, and scented personal care formulations.
Phenylcarbinol helps perfume compositions remain homogeneous during manufacturing, storage, and application.
Phenylcarbinol supports household fragrances, air-care products, fabric fresheners, and fragranced cleaning formulations.
Phenylcarbinol enables aromatic ingredients to be incorporated into compatible aqueous, alcoholic, or emulsion-based systems.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a preservative in cosmetic formulations where the concentration and finished formulation comply with applicable regulations.
Phenylcarbinol provides antimicrobial protection against selected microorganisms and can complement other preservation technologies.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to creams, lotions, serums, and emulsified skin care products as a preservative, solvent, and fragrance component.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve selected active ingredients, botanical components, and aromatic substances within compatible cosmetic systems.
Phenylcarbinol supports shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, and rinse-off cleansing formulations.
Phenylcarbinol can provide preservative support and fragrance functionality while improving the solubility of selected formulation ingredients.
Phenylcarbinol functions in hair-coloring, hair-waving, and hair-treatment formulations as a solvent or preservation auxiliary.
Phenylcarbinol helps distribute dyes, fragrance materials, and other compatible organic ingredients throughout the formulation.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, and personal hygiene products.
Phenylcarbinol supports fragrance delivery and microbial control when Phenylcarbinol is used within the permitted formulation limits.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a solvent in nail lacquers, nail treatments, and nail-product-removal systems.
Phenylcarbinol provides slower evaporation than many conventional nail-product solvents and can extend application time.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a pharmaceutical excipient in oral, topical, and parenteral formulations where pharmaceutical regulations permit Phenylcarbinol use.
Phenylcarbinol can act as a solvent, antimicrobial preservative, viscosity modifier, or formulation stabilizer in appropriately validated medicines.
Phenylcarbinol supports multidose pharmaceutical preparations that require bacteriostatic preservation.
Phenylcarbinol must be used only at validated concentrations and in patient populations permitted by the applicable pharmaceutical requirements.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to topical creams, ointments, gels, lotions, and medicated solutions as a solvent and preservative.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve selected pharmaceutical actives that have limited solubility in water.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a solvent in veterinary pharmaceutical formulations when the selected grade and application comply with veterinary requirements.
Phenylcarbinol supports active-ingredient dissolution and microbial stability in validated veterinary products.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a flavor and fragrance intermediate in the manufacture of aromatic ingredients.
Phenylcarbinol provides a benzyl group that can be converted into numerous esters, ethers, aldehydes, acids, and substituted aromatic compounds.
Phenylcarbinol enables the production of benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, and other benzyl esters.
Phenylcarbinol-derived esters are widely valued for fragrance, flavor, solvent, plasticizing, and formulation properties.
Phenylcarbinol serves as an intermediate in the preparation of benzaldehyde and benzoic acid derivatives.
Phenylcarbinol can undergo controlled oxidation to produce aromatic intermediates used throughout chemical manufacturing.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to the synthesis of quaternary ammonium compounds and benzyl-containing surfactants.
Phenylcarbinol-derived intermediates support the production of disinfectant, antistatic, fabric-care, and industrial surfactant chemistries.
Phenylcarbinol functions as an intermediate in pharmaceutical and fine-chemical synthesis.
Phenylcarbinol provides benzyl functionality for protection reactions, substitution processes, esterification, etherification, and oxidation chemistry.
Phenylcarbinol supports agrochemical manufacturing as a solvent or synthetic intermediate.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve compatible active ingredients and participates in the preparation of selected crop-protection intermediates.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a formulation solvent in selected pesticide concentrates, emulsions, and dispersions.
Phenylcarbinol requires complete compatibility and regulatory evaluation before Phenylcarbinol is incorporated into an agricultural formulation.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to polyester, polyurethane, acrylic, and specialty resin manufacturing.
Phenylcarbinol can function as a chain-modifying alcohol, solvent, diluent, or reaction intermediate depending on the resin chemistry.
Phenylcarbinol supports plasticizer and polymer-additive synthesis through the preparation of benzyl esters and related derivatives.
Phenylcarbinol-derived materials can modify flexibility, solvency, compatibility, and processing behavior in selected polymer systems.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a solvent in rubber-processing formulations, release systems, and specialty elastomer compounds.
Phenylcarbinol helps distribute compatible resins, accelerators, antioxidants, and processing additives throughout liquid or compounded systems.
Phenylcarbinol facilitates the manufacture of dyes and pigments containing benzyl or oxidized aromatic functionality.
Phenylcarbinol also supports dye processing as a solvent, carrier, or coupling medium in selected synthesis stages.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a laboratory reagent in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, and formulation research.
Phenylcarbinol provides a well-characterized aromatic alcohol for oxidation, esterification, substitution, and solubility studies.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a high-boiling reaction medium for chemical transformations requiring moderate polarity.
Phenylcarbinol can dissolve many aromatic compounds, resins, oils, and polar organic intermediates under controlled conditions.
Phenylcarbinol supports extraction, purification, and crystallization processes involving compatible organic substances.
Phenylcarbinol allows solubility to be adjusted through temperature changes or combination with other solvents.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to microscopy and histological processing systems that use benzyl alcohol with compatible clearing agents.
Phenylcarbinol assists optical clearing by modifying refractive-index relationships within appropriately prepared biological samples.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a solvent in photographic, imaging, and specialty optical formulations.
Phenylcarbinol helps dissolve dyes, couplers, resins, and other organic ingredients used in selected imaging processes.
Phenylcarbinol supports electronics and precision-cleaning formulations designed for compatible components and residues.
Phenylcarbinol provides controlled solvency and slower evaporation where extended contact with contamination is beneficial.
Phenylcarbinol functions as a coupling solvent in formulations containing water, alcohols, glycols, oils, and aromatic substances.
Phenylcarbinol helps bridge differences in polarity and improves formulation homogeneity when the complete system remains stable.
Phenylcarbinol contributes to household cleaners, polish formulations, wax products, and surface-care compositions.
Phenylcarbinol assists fragrance solubilization, organic-soil removal, and controlled evaporation from treated surfaces.
Phenylcarbinol serves as a specialized formulation ingredient across coatings, adhesives, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and fine chemicals.
Phenylcarbinol performance must be optimized according to purity, concentration, compatibility, regulatory status, processing conditions, and intended end use.
DESCRIPTION
Phenylcarbinol is the traditional chemical name for Benzyl Alcohol, an aromatic primary alcohol with the structure C₆H₅CH₂OH.
Phenylcarbinol consists of a benzene ring connected to a hydroxymethyl group through a carbon-carbon bond.
Phenylcarbinol has the molecular formula C₇H₈O and a molecular weight of 108.14 g/mol.
Phenylcarbinol is identified by CAS Number 100-51-6 and EC Number 202-859-9.
Phenylcarbinol contains one primary alcohol functional group and one aromatic phenyl group.
Phenylcarbinol combines the polarity of the hydroxyl group with the hydrophobic character of the benzene ring.
Phenylcarbinol is commonly manufactured through hydrolysis of benzyl chloride under controlled alkaline conditions.
Phenylcarbinol can also be produced through hydrogenation of benzaldehyde or other controlled benzyl-intermediate processes.
Phenylcarbinol normally appears as a clear, colorless, oily liquid at room temperature.
Phenylcarbinol may develop a faint yellow color during prolonged storage, oxidation, or contamination.
Phenylcarbinol has a mild aromatic, floral, and slightly sweet odor.
Phenylcarbinol odor becomes more noticeable when Phenylcarbinol is heated, sprayed, or used in open processing systems.
Phenylcarbinol has a relatively high boiling point of approximately 205°C.
Phenylcarbinol evaporates considerably more slowly than ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and many common coating solvents.
Phenylcarbinol has a freezing or melting point of approximately −15°C.
Phenylcarbinol can therefore remain liquid under many ambient storage conditions but may crystallize during sufficiently cold transport or storage.
Phenylcarbinol has a density of approximately 1.04 g/cm³ at room temperature.
Phenylcarbinol is slightly denser than water and forms a separate phase when Phenylcarbinol exceeds the available aqueous solubility.
Phenylcarbinol has moderate water solubility of approximately 35–40 g/L near room temperature.
Phenylcarbinol is miscible or highly compatible with ethanol, ether, acetone, chloroform, and many other organic solvents.
Phenylcarbinol exhibits both hydrophilic and lipophilic characteristics because of the hydroxyl group and aromatic ring.
Phenylcarbinol therefore functions as a coupling solvent between ingredients with substantially different polarities.
Phenylcarbinol dissolves many resins, dyes, fragrances, oils, pharmaceutical actives, and organic intermediates.
Phenylcarbinol solvency depends on temperature, water content, molecular structure, concentration, and the presence of other solvents.
Phenylcarbinol has a relatively low vapor pressure at room temperature.
Phenylcarbinol provides extended wet-film time and reduced evaporation loss compared with highly volatile solvents.
Phenylcarbinol has a flash point of approximately 93°C under commonly reported closed-cup test conditions.
Phenylcarbinol remains a combustible liquid and must be protected from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and uncontrolled heating.
Phenylcarbinol can oxidize gradually to benzaldehyde and subsequently to benzoic acid.
Phenylcarbinol oxidation can increase acidity, odor intensity, color, and impurity levels during unsuitable storage.
Phenylcarbinol reacts with carboxylic acids to form benzyl esters.
Phenylcarbinol esterification provides important fragrance, flavor, solvent, plasticizer, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Phenylcarbinol reacts with strong oxidizing agents and may undergo vigorous or hazardous reactions under uncontrolled conditions.
Phenylcarbinol should remain separated from powerful oxidizers, strong acids, and incompatible reactive chemicals.
Phenylcarbinol provides antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
Phenylcarbinol preservative performance depends on concentration, formulation pH, water activity, packaging, microbial challenge, and complementary preservatives.
Phenylcarbinol can function as both a fragrance ingredient and a preservative in cosmetic formulations.
Phenylcarbinol may require ingredient or allergen labeling according to the product category and destination-market regulations.
Phenylcarbinol may interact with certain plastics, elastomers, coatings, and sealing materials during prolonged contact.
Phenylcarbinol storage and transfer equipment should be selected through supplier recommendations and material-compatibility testing.
Phenylcarbinol remains stable under normal recommended storage conditions in tightly closed containers.
Phenylcarbinol should be protected from excessive heat, prolonged air exposure, direct sunlight, moisture, and contamination.
Phenylcarbinol pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, fragrance, and industrial grades can differ in purity and impurity specifications.
Phenylcarbinol grade selection should reflect the intended regulatory market, analytical requirements, and final application.
Phenylcarbinol quality is commonly controlled through assay, water content, acidity, color, refractive index, density, and related-substance limits.
Phenylcarbinol acceptance criteria must follow the selected supplier specification or applicable pharmacopoeial monograph.
Phenylcarbinol can be purified through distillation because of the difference between the boiling points of Phenylcarbinol and common impurities.
Phenylcarbinol distillation must be performed with appropriate temperature control, ventilation, and fire-prevention measures.
Phenylcarbinol has low volatility but can generate harmful vapor or mist when Phenylcarbinol is heated, sprayed, or vigorously agitated.
Phenylcarbinol workplace exposure should be minimized through closed handling, local exhaust ventilation, and appropriate personal protection.
Phenylcarbinol is harmful if swallowed or inhaled according to widely applied hazard classifications.
Phenylcarbinol can also cause significant eye irritation and requires immediate rinsing after accidental eye exposure.
Phenylcarbinol biodegradation and environmental behavior depend on concentration, release conditions, and wastewater-treatment capacity.
Phenylcarbinol should not be discharged in concentrated form into drains, soil, surface water, or groundwater.
Phenylcarbinol offers a versatile balance of solvency, antimicrobial activity, fragrance character, and synthetic reactivity.
Phenylcarbinol remains an important multipurpose raw material for industrial, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, fragrance, and laboratory applications.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Name: Phenylcarbinol
Preferred Common Name: Benzyl Alcohol
IUPAC Name: Phenylmethanol
Chemical Class: Aromatic Primary Alcohol
Functional Group: Primary Hydroxyl Group
CAS Number: 100-51-6
EC Number: 202-859-9
PubChem CID: 244
UNII: LKG8494WBH
FEMA Number: 2137
Molecular Formula: C₇H₈O
Structural Formula: C₆H₅CH₂OH
Molecular Weight: 108.14 g/mol
Exact Mass: Approximately 108.0575 Da
InChIKey: WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO
Physical State: Liquid
Appearance: Clear, colorless, oily liquid
Color: Colorless to faint yellow, depending on grade and storage history
Odor: Mild aromatic, floral, and slightly sweet odor
Taste: Burning and slightly aromatic
Melting Point: Approximately −15.3°C
Freezing Point: Approximately −15°C
Boiling Point: Approximately 205.3°C
Flash Point: Approximately 93°C, closed cup
Autoignition Temperature: Approximately 435°C
Density: Approximately 1.04–1.05 g/cm³ at 20–25°C
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.538–1.540 at 20°C
Dynamic Viscosity: Approximately 5.5 mPa·s at 25°C
Vapor Pressure: Approximately 0.1–0.2 hPa at 25°C
Vapor Density: Approximately 3.7, air = 1
Water Solubility: Approximately 35–40 g/L near 25°C
Ethanol Solubility: Miscible
Ether Solubility: Miscible
Acetone Solubility: Miscible
Chloroform Solubility: Miscible
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compatibility: High
Log P: Approximately 1.1
pKa: Approximately 15.4
Surface Tension: Approximately 39 mN/m at room temperature
Volatility: Low
Evaporation Rate: Slow relative to common low-boiling solvents
Primary Functions: Solvent, Preservative, Fragrance Ingredient, and Chemical Intermediate
Cosmetic Functions: Preservative, Solvent, Fragrance, and Viscosity-Controlling Ingredient
Pharmaceutical Functions: Solvent, Preservative, and Excipient
Industrial Functions: Coalescent, Coupling Solvent, Resin Diluent, and Synthesis Intermediate
Oxidation Products: Benzaldehyde and Benzoic Acid
Thermal Decomposition Products: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Smoke, and Irritating Vapors
Combustibility: Combustible Liquid
Common Hazard Classification: Harmful if Swallowed, Harmful if Inhaled, and Causes Serious Eye Irritation
Chemical Stability: Stable under Recommended Storage Conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong Oxidizing Agents, Strong Acids, Acid Chlorides, and Reactive Chemicals
Storage Conditions: Cool, Dry, Well Ventilated, and Tightly Closed
Light Protection: Recommended for Long-Term Quality Retention
Moisture Protection: Keep Containers Closed to Prevent Contamination and Water Uptake
Shelf Life: Supplier and Grade Dependent
FIRST AID
Inhalation: Move the person exposed to Phenylcarbinol vapor, mist, or aerosol into fresh air and keep the person at rest.
Obtain prompt medical attention if Phenylcarbinol exposure causes coughing, dizziness, headache, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, or persistent respiratory irritation.
Skin Contact: Remove clothing contaminated with Phenylcarbinol and wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical advice if Phenylcarbinol exposure causes persistent redness, dryness, pain, or irritation.
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes exposed to Phenylcarbinol with clean running water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses when easy to do, continue rinsing, and obtain prompt medical attention because Phenylcarbinol can cause serious eye irritation.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly after accidental ingestion of Phenylcarbinol and do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Contact a physician or poison information center immediately because Phenylcarbinol can be harmful if swallowed.
Note to Physicians: Treat Phenylcarbinol exposure symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Assess significant Phenylcarbinol exposure for central nervous system effects, aspiration risk, respiratory irritation, gastrointestinal effects, and eye injury.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: Handle Phenylcarbinol according to good industrial hygiene and chemical-processing practices.
Avoid inhaling Phenylcarbinol vapor or mist and prevent Phenylcarbinol contact with the eyes, skin, clothing, and incompatible chemicals.
Ventilation: Provide effective general ventilation and local exhaust wherever Phenylcarbinol is transferred, heated, sprayed, sampled, or mixed.
Use respiratory protection selected through a workplace risk assessment when ventilation cannot adequately control Phenylcarbinol vapor or aerosol exposure.
Storage: Store Phenylcarbinol in tightly closed original or supplier-approved containers within a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Protect Phenylcarbinol from heat, direct sunlight, flames, sparks, strong oxidizing agents, and contamination.
Spill and Leak Procedures: Eliminate ignition sources, ventilate the affected area, and contain spilled Phenylcarbinol with inert non-combustible absorbent.
Prevent Phenylcarbinol from entering drains, soil, or surface water and transfer recovered Phenylcarbinol into compatible labeled waste containers.
Handling Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing, and suitable respiratory protection when required.
Keep emergency eyewash and safety-shower facilities accessible and consult the current supplier-specific Safety Data Sheet before commercial Phenylcarbinol handling.
