Details:

An overview of the

Benzyl alcohol, also known as benzyl alcohol, molecular formula C6H5CH2OH, density 1.045g/mLat25°C(lit.), is the simplest fatty alcohol containing phenyl group, can be regarded as hydroxymethyl substituted benzene, or phenyl substituted methanol. It is a colorless transparent viscous liquid with a faint aromatic odor, sometimes benzyl alcohol after a long time, because of the oxidation of benzaldehyde microstrip bitter almond flavor. Polar, low toxicity, low vapor pressure, therefore used as an alcohol solvent. Combustible. Slightly soluble in water (about 1 gram of benzyl alcohol in 25 mL of water), miscible with ethanol, ether, benzene, chloroform and other organic solvents.

Benzyl alcohol mainly exists in the form of free or ester in essential oils, such as jasmine oil, ilan ilan oil, jasmine oil, hyacinth oil, sunflower oil, myrtle balsam, and tolu balsam. Benzyl alcohol is not suitable for long storage, it can be slowly oxidized into benzaldehyde and benzyl ether in the air, so the benzyl alcohol products on the market often contain the characteristic of benzaldehyde almond fragrance.

In addition, benzyl alcohol is also easily oxidized to benzoic acid by a variety of oxidizing agents (such as concentrated nitric acid). Benzyl alcohol has an anesthetic effect and is highly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory system. It is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or in contact with the skin. Ingestion can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, convulsions, coma and, in severe cases, death. The half lethal dose in rats was 1230mg/kg.

When benzyl alcohol enters the body, it is first oxidized to benzoic acid, then condensed with glycine in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid. Gluteal muscle contracture may result from intramuscular injection using benzyl alcohol as a solvent.