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Phenylmethanol is an aromatic primary alcohol consisting of a phenyl group bonded to a hydroxymethyl group.
Phenylmethanol functions as a solvent, preservative, fragrance ingredient, flavoring auxiliary, and chemical synthesis intermediate.
Phenylmethanol combines moderate water solubility, compatibility with many organic ingredients, low volatility, and useful antimicrobial properties.
CAS Number: 100-51-6
EC Number: 202-859-9
Molecular Formula: C₇H₈O
Molecular Weight: 108.14 g/mol
SYNONYMS
Phenylmethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzenemethanol, Phenylcarbinol, Phenyl Carbinol, Phenylmethyl Alcohol, Phenyl Methyl Alcohol, α-Hydroxytoluene, Alpha-Hydroxytoluene, α-Toluenol, Alpha-Toluenol, Hydroxymethylbenzene, (Hydroxymethyl)benzene, Benzene Carbinol, Benzenecarbinol, Benzene Methanol, Methanol, Phenyl-, Methanol Phenyl-, Benzylic Alcohol, Benzylalcohol, Benzyl Alcoholum, Alcohol Benzylicus, Hydroxytoluene, Benzoyl Alcohol, Benzyl Hydroxide, Benzyl-OH, Monobenzyl Alcohol, Aromatic Benzyl Alcohol, Aromatic Primary Alcohol, Phenylmethan-1-ol, C₆H₅CH₂OH, C6H5CH2OH, C₇H₈O, C7H8O, CAS 100-51-6, EC 202-859-9, EINECS 202-859-9, UNII LKG8494WBH, FEMA 2137, PubChem CID 244, NSC 8044, NCI-C06111, Benzyl Alcohol USP, Benzyl Alcohol NF, Benzyl Alcohol BP, Benzyl Alcohol EP, Pharmaceutical-Grade Phenylmethanol, Cosmetic-Grade Phenylmethanol, Fragrance-Grade Phenylmethanol, Food-Grade Phenylmethanol, Industrial-Grade Phenylmethanol, High-Purity Phenylmethanol, Phenylmethanol Solvent, Phenylmethanol Preservative, Phenylmethanol Fragrance Ingredient, Phenylmethanol Chemical Intermediate
APPLICATIONS
Phenylmethanol serves as a high-boiling solvent in industrial coatings that require controlled evaporation and extended application time.
Phenylmethanol improves resin flow, pigment wetting, leveling, and film formation in properly formulated coating systems.
Phenylmethanol supports waterborne acrylic coatings as a coupling solvent for polymer particles and organic formulation ingredients.
Phenylmethanol helps compatible waterborne coatings develop continuous and uniform films during drying.
Phenylmethanol functions as a viscosity-modifying solvent in epoxy resin formulations.
Phenylmethanol enables epoxy coatings, adhesives, flooring systems, and casting compounds to be applied more easily when compatibility has been confirmed.
Phenylmethanol contributes to amine-cured epoxy systems by modifying wetting behavior, working time, viscosity, and cure development.
Phenylmethanol can influence epoxy processing through interactions with amine hardeners and hydroxyl-sensitive curing mechanisms.
Phenylmethanol facilitates pigment dispersion in protective coatings, maintenance paints, primers, and industrial topcoats.
Phenylmethanol helps coating vehicles penetrate pigment agglomerates and distribute colorants more uniformly.
Phenylmethanol serves as a solvent in wood coatings, stains, varnishes, and furniture-finishing formulations.
Phenylmethanol supports smooth application and controlled drying on prepared wood, veneer, and engineered wood surfaces.
Phenylmethanol contributes to metal coatings formulated for machinery, tools, fabricated components, and industrial equipment.
Phenylmethanol helps dissolve compatible resins and additives while promoting uniform distribution over prepared metal surfaces.
Phenylmethanol functions as a solvent in selected printing inks containing dyes, pigments, resins, and performance additives.
Phenylmethanol provides controlled evaporation that can support substrate wetting, ink transfer, and printed-film formation.
Phenylmethanol supports flexographic and gravure ink formulations requiring a balance between solvency and open time.
Phenylmethanol helps prevent premature drying when faster solvents would evaporate excessively during printing.
Phenylmethanol facilitates the preparation of specialty ink concentrates and pigment dispersions.
Phenylmethanol enables compatible colorants and resin components to remain uniformly distributed throughout liquid ink systems.
Phenylmethanol serves as a formulation solvent in pressure-sensitive, construction, assembly, and specialty adhesives.
Phenylmethanol helps dissolve or plasticize compatible adhesive resins and promotes wetting over porous or irregular substrates.
Phenylmethanol contributes to sealants and caulking formulations requiring controlled viscosity and surface penetration.
Phenylmethanol supports uniform application when Phenylmethanol remains compatible with polymers, fillers, catalysts, and curing agents.
Phenylmethanol functions as a solvent in paint removers, coating strippers, and cleaning formulations designed to soften organic films.
Phenylmethanol penetrates compatible resins and can assist the removal of dried paint, adhesive, ink, and coating residues.
Phenylmethanol supports industrial degreasers used to remove oils, processing residues, and organic contamination from compatible surfaces.
Phenylmethanol combines organic solvency with moderate water compatibility for selected semi-aqueous cleaning formulations.
Phenylmethanol serves as a coupling solvent in formulations containing water, alcohols, glycols, oils, and aromatic ingredients.
Phenylmethanol helps bridge polarity differences and improves formulation homogeneity when the complete system remains stable.
Phenylmethanol contributes to household cleaners, polish formulations, wax products, and surface-care compositions.
Phenylmethanol assists fragrance solubilization, organic-soil removal, and controlled evaporation from treated surfaces.
Phenylmethanol functions as a dye carrier and solvent in selected textile-processing formulations.
Phenylmethanol helps compatible dyes penetrate or distribute across natural and synthetic textile fibers under controlled conditions.
Phenylmethanol contributes to textile-printing pastes containing dyes, pigments, binders, and rheology modifiers.
Phenylmethanol improves compatibility between aqueous and oil-compatible components in suitably designed printing systems.
Phenylmethanol supports leather dyes, finishes, coatings, and conditioning formulations.
Phenylmethanol assists the distribution of colorants, resins, fragrances, and finishing auxiliaries over leather surfaces.
Phenylmethanol functions as a fragrance ingredient with a mild floral, balsamic, and slightly sweet aromatic character.
Phenylmethanol contributes directly to fragrance profiles while dissolving less water-compatible perfume ingredients.
Phenylmethanol serves as a fragrance solvent in perfumes, eau de toilette products, body sprays, and scented personal care formulations.
Phenylmethanol helps perfume compositions remain homogeneous throughout manufacturing, storage, and application.
Phenylmethanol supports household fragrances, air-care formulations, fabric fresheners, and fragranced cleaning products.
Phenylmethanol enables aromatic ingredients to be incorporated into compatible aqueous, alcoholic, and emulsion-based systems.
Phenylmethanol functions as a preservative in cosmetic formulations that comply with applicable concentration and labeling requirements.
Phenylmethanol provides antimicrobial protection against selected microorganisms and can complement additional preservation technologies.
Phenylmethanol contributes to creams, lotions, serums, and emulsified skin care formulations as a preservative and solvent.
Phenylmethanol helps dissolve selected active ingredients, botanical components, fragrances, and organic formulation materials.
Phenylmethanol supports shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, and rinse-off cleansing formulations.
Phenylmethanol can provide preservative support and fragrance functionality while improving the solubility of selected ingredients.
Phenylmethanol functions in hair-coloring, hair-waving, and hair-treatment formulations as a solvent or preservation auxiliary.
Phenylmethanol helps distribute dyes, fragrance materials, and compatible organic ingredients throughout hair care formulations.
Phenylmethanol contributes to deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, and personal hygiene formulations.
Phenylmethanol supports fragrance delivery and microbial control when Phenylmethanol is used within permitted formulation limits.
Phenylmethanol serves as a solvent in nail lacquers, nail treatments, and nail-product-removal systems.
Phenylmethanol provides slower evaporation than many conventional nail-product solvents and can extend application time.
Phenylmethanol functions as a pharmaceutical excipient in topical, oral, and parenteral formulations where regulatory requirements permit Phenylmethanol use.
Phenylmethanol can act as a solvent, antimicrobial preservative, or formulation auxiliary in appropriately validated medicines.
Phenylmethanol supports multidose pharmaceutical formulations that require bacteriostatic preservation.
Phenylmethanol must be used only at validated concentrations and in patient groups permitted by the applicable pharmaceutical requirements.
Phenylmethanol contributes to pharmaceutical creams, ointments, gels, lotions, and medicated solutions.
Phenylmethanol helps dissolve selected active pharmaceutical ingredients with limited water solubility.
Phenylmethanol serves as a solvent in veterinary pharmaceutical formulations when the selected grade complies with veterinary requirements.
Phenylmethanol supports active-ingredient dissolution and microbial stability in validated veterinary preparations.
Phenylmethanol functions as a flavoring agent, flavoring adjunct, solvent, or carrier in applications authorized by applicable food regulations.
Phenylmethanol is listed by the United States FDA under CAS Number 100-51-6 with technical effects including flavoring and solvent or vehicle functions.
Phenylmethanol supports the preparation of flavor concentrates containing aromatic and oil-soluble ingredients.
Phenylmethanol food use requires an appropriate food-grade material and compliance with the regulations of the intended market.
Phenylmethanol functions as a fragrance and flavor intermediate in the manufacture of aromatic derivatives.
Phenylmethanol provides benzyl functionality that can be converted into esters, ethers, aldehydes, acids, and substituted aromatic compounds.
Phenylmethanol enables the preparation of benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, and related benzyl esters.
Phenylmethanol-derived esters are valued for fragrance, flavor, solvent, plasticizing, and formulation properties.
Phenylmethanol serves as an intermediate in the preparation of benzaldehyde and benzoic acid.
Phenylmethanol undergoes controlled oxidation to form aromatic intermediates used throughout industrial chemical manufacturing.
Phenylmethanol contributes to the production of benzyl ethers used in organic synthesis and specialty chemical manufacturing.
Phenylmethanol participates in etherification reactions with suitable alcohols, phenols, and reactive intermediates.
Phenylmethanol functions as an intermediate in pharmaceutical and fine-chemical synthesis.
Phenylmethanol provides benzyl functionality for protection reactions, esterification, etherification, substitution, and oxidation chemistry.
Phenylmethanol supports agrochemical manufacturing as a solvent or synthetic intermediate.
Phenylmethanol participates in the preparation of selected crop-protection intermediates and formulation components.
Phenylmethanol serves as a formulation solvent in selected pesticide concentrates, emulsions, and dispersions.
Phenylmethanol requires complete compatibility and regulatory evaluation before Phenylmethanol is incorporated into an agricultural formulation.
Phenylmethanol contributes to polyester, polyurethane, acrylic, and specialty resin manufacturing.
Phenylmethanol can function as a reaction modifier, solvent, diluent, or synthesis intermediate depending on the selected resin chemistry.
Phenylmethanol supports plasticizer and polymer-additive synthesis through the preparation of benzyl esters and related derivatives.
Phenylmethanol-derived materials can modify flexibility, compatibility, solvency, and processing behavior in selected polymer systems.
Phenylmethanol functions as a solvent in rubber-processing formulations, release systems, and specialty elastomer compounds.
Phenylmethanol helps distribute compatible resins, antioxidants, accelerators, and processing additives throughout liquid or compounded systems.
Phenylmethanol facilitates the manufacture of dyes and pigments containing benzyl or oxidized aromatic functionality.
Phenylmethanol also supports dye processing as a solvent, carrier, or reaction medium during selected synthesis stages.
Phenylmethanol serves as a laboratory reagent in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, and formulation research.
Phenylmethanol provides a well-characterized aromatic alcohol for oxidation, esterification, substitution, and solubility studies.
Phenylmethanol functions as a high-boiling reaction medium for transformations requiring moderate polarity.
Phenylmethanol dissolves many aromatic substances, oils, resins, and polar organic intermediates under controlled conditions.
Phenylmethanol supports extraction, purification, and crystallization processes involving compatible organic substances.
Phenylmethanol allows solubility behavior to be adjusted through temperature changes or combination with other solvents.
Phenylmethanol contributes to microscopy and histological-processing systems that use aromatic alcohols with compatible clearing agents.
Phenylmethanol assists optical clearing by modifying refractive-index relationships within appropriately prepared samples.
Phenylmethanol serves as a solvent in photographic, imaging, and specialty optical formulations.
Phenylmethanol helps dissolve dyes, couplers, resins, and organic ingredients used in selected imaging processes.
Phenylmethanol supports electronics and precision-cleaning formulations designed for compatible components and residues.
Phenylmethanol provides controlled solvency and slower evaporation where extended contact with contamination is beneficial.
Phenylmethanol serves as a versatile raw material across coatings, adhesives, fragrances, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food flavoring, and fine chemicals.
Phenylmethanol performance must be optimized according to purity, concentration, compatibility, regulatory status, processing conditions, and intended use.
DESCRIPTION
Phenylmethanol is the systematic name commonly associated with Benzyl Alcohol, an aromatic primary alcohol with the structure C₆H₅CH₂OH.
Phenylmethanol is recognized as a synonym of Benzyl Alcohol by NIST, PubChem, FDA, and ECHA substance records.
Phenylmethanol has the molecular formula C₇H₈O and a molecular weight of approximately 108.14 g/mol.
Phenylmethanol is identified by CAS Number 100-51-6 and EC Number 202-859-9.
Phenylmethanol contains one primary alcohol functional group and one aromatic phenyl group.
Phenylmethanol combines the polarity of a hydroxyl group with the hydrophobic character of a benzene ring.
Phenylmethanol is commonly manufactured through controlled hydrolysis of benzyl chloride.
Phenylmethanol can also be manufactured through catalytic hydrogenation of benzaldehyde or related benzyl intermediates.
Phenylmethanol normally appears as a clear, colorless, oily liquid at room temperature.
Phenylmethanol may develop a faint yellow color during prolonged storage, oxidation, or contamination.
Phenylmethanol has a mild aromatic, floral, and slightly sweet odor.
Phenylmethanol odor becomes more noticeable when Phenylmethanol is heated, sprayed, or handled in open processing systems.
Phenylmethanol has a normal boiling point of approximately 205°C.
Phenylmethanol boiling-point measurements compiled by NIST generally fall near 477–479 K.
Phenylmethanol has a freezing or melting point of approximately −15°C.
Phenylmethanol can remain liquid under ordinary ambient conditions but may crystallize during sufficiently cold storage or transportation.
Phenylmethanol has a density of approximately 1.04 g/cm³ near room temperature.
Phenylmethanol is slightly denser than water and forms a separate organic phase when Phenylmethanol exceeds the available aqueous solubility.
Phenylmethanol has moderate water solubility and substantially greater compatibility with many organic solvents.
Phenylmethanol is compatible with alcohols, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and numerous organic formulation ingredients.
Phenylmethanol exhibits both hydrophilic and lipophilic characteristics because of the hydroxyl group and aromatic ring.
Phenylmethanol therefore functions as a coupling solvent between ingredients with considerably different polarities.
Phenylmethanol dissolves many resins, dyes, fragrances, oils, pharmaceutical actives, and organic intermediates.
Phenylmethanol solvency depends on molecular structure, temperature, concentration, water content, and the presence of additional solvents.
Phenylmethanol has relatively low vapor pressure at room temperature.
Phenylmethanol provides extended wet-film time and reduced evaporation loss compared with many low-boiling solvents.
Phenylmethanol has a commonly reported closed-cup flash point near 93°C.
Phenylmethanol remains a combustible liquid and must be protected from flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and uncontrolled heating.
Phenylmethanol gradually oxidizes to benzaldehyde and can undergo further oxidation to benzoic acid.
Phenylmethanol oxidation can increase acidity, odor intensity, color, and impurity levels during unsuitable storage.
Phenylmethanol reacts with carboxylic acids to produce benzyl esters.
Phenylmethanol esterification provides important fragrance, flavor, solvent, plasticizer, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Phenylmethanol reacts with strong oxidizing agents and may undergo hazardous reactions under uncontrolled conditions.
Phenylmethanol should remain separated from powerful oxidizers, strong acids, acid chlorides, and incompatible reactive substances.
Phenylmethanol exhibits antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
Phenylmethanol preservation performance depends on concentration, formulation pH, water activity, packaging, microbial challenge, and complementary preservatives.
Phenylmethanol can function as both a fragrance ingredient and a preservative in cosmetic formulations.
Phenylmethanol is included in European chemical records associated with permitted cosmetic preservative use and fragrance-allergen labeling obligations.
Phenylmethanol may interact with selected plastics, elastomers, coatings, and sealing materials during prolonged contact.
Phenylmethanol storage and transfer equipment should be selected through supplier recommendations and material-compatibility testing.
Phenylmethanol remains stable under recommended storage conditions in tightly closed containers.
Phenylmethanol should be protected from excessive heat, prolonged air exposure, direct sunlight, moisture, and contamination.
Phenylmethanol pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, fragrance, and industrial grades can differ in purity and impurity specifications.
Phenylmethanol grade selection should reflect the intended regulatory market, analytical requirements, and final application.
Phenylmethanol quality is commonly controlled through assay, water content, acidity, color, refractive index, density, and related-substance limits.
Phenylmethanol acceptance criteria must follow the selected supplier specification or applicable pharmacopoeial monograph.
Phenylmethanol can be purified through controlled distillation because of differences between the boiling points of Phenylmethanol and common impurities.
Phenylmethanol distillation requires appropriate temperature control, ventilation, equipment design, and fire-prevention measures.
Phenylmethanol can generate harmful vapor or mist when Phenylmethanol is heated, sprayed, or vigorously agitated.
Phenylmethanol workplace exposure should be minimized through closed handling, local exhaust ventilation, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Phenylmethanol is commonly classified as harmful if swallowed or inhaled and capable of causing serious eye irritation.
Phenylmethanol hazard classification and precautionary wording should be confirmed from the current supplier-specific Safety Data Sheet and regional regulatory documentation.
Phenylmethanol offers a versatile balance of solvency, fragrance character, antimicrobial performance, and synthetic reactivity.
Phenylmethanol remains an important multipurpose raw material for industrial, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, fragrance, and laboratory applications.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Name: Phenylmethanol
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
EC Index Number: 603-057-00-5
PubChem CID: 244
UNII: LKG8494WBH
FEMA Number: 2137
JECFA Flavor Number: 25
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
Melting Point: Approximately −15.3°C
Boiling Point: Approximately 205°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: Low at room temperature
Vapor Density: Approximately 3.7, air = 1
Water Solubility: Approximately 35–40 g/L near room temperature
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 near room temperature
Volatility: Low
Evaporation Rate: Slow relative to common low-boiling solvents
Primary Functions: Solvent, Preservative, Fragrance Ingredient, Flavoring Auxiliary, and Chemical Intermediate
Cosmetic Functions: Preservative, Solvent, Fragrance Ingredient, and Viscosity-Controlling Ingredient
Pharmaceutical Functions: Solvent, Antimicrobial Preservative, and Excipient
Food Functions: Flavoring Agent or Adjuvant and Solvent or Vehicle
Industrial Functions: Coupling Solvent, Resin Diluent, Coating Auxiliary, 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
The molecular formula, molecular weight, CAS number, standard structure, InChIKey, and recognized Phenylmethanol synonym are confirmed by NIST and FDA substance records.
FIRST AID
Inhalation: Move the person exposed to Phenylmethanol vapor, mist, or aerosol into fresh air and keep the person at rest.
Obtain prompt medical attention if Phenylmethanol exposure causes coughing, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, breathing difficulty, or persistent respiratory irritation.
Skin Contact: Remove clothing contaminated with Phenylmethanol and wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical advice if Phenylmethanol exposure causes persistent redness, dryness, discomfort, or irritation.
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes exposed to Phenylmethanol 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 Phenylmethanol can cause serious eye irritation.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly after accidental ingestion of Phenylmethanol and do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel.
Contact a physician or poison information center immediately because concentrated Phenylmethanol can be harmful if swallowed.
Note to Physicians: Treat Phenylmethanol exposure symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Assess significant Phenylmethanol exposure for central nervous system effects, respiratory irritation, gastrointestinal effects, aspiration risk, and eye injury.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: Handle Phenylmethanol according to good industrial hygiene and chemical-processing practices.
Avoid inhaling Phenylmethanol vapor or mist and prevent Phenylmethanol contact with the eyes, skin, clothing, and incompatible chemicals.
Ventilation: Provide effective general ventilation and local exhaust wherever Phenylmethanol is transferred, heated, sprayed, sampled, or mixed.
Use respiratory protection selected through a workplace risk assessment when ventilation cannot adequately control Phenylmethanol vapor or aerosol exposure.
Storage: Store Phenylmethanol in tightly closed original or supplier-approved containers within a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Protect Phenylmethanol from excessive heat, direct sunlight, flames, sparks, strong oxidizing agents, and contamination.
Spill and Leak Procedures: Eliminate ignition sources, ventilate the affected area, and contain spilled Phenylmethanol with inert non-combustible absorbent.
Prevent Phenylmethanol from entering drains, soil, or surface water and transfer recovered Phenylmethanol 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 Phenylmethanol handling.
