English name: Benzyl alcohol

CAS No.: 100-51-6

Molecular formula: C7H8O

Molecular weight: 108.14

EINECS No.: 202-859-9

Melting point: - 15 ° C

Boiling point: 205 ° C

Density: 1.045 g/mL at 25 ° C (lit.)

APPLICATIONS

Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative for ointment, a desiccant for fiber, nylon filament and plastic film, a stabilizer for PVC, a photographic developer, a solvent for acetate fiber, ink, paint, paint, epoxy resin coating, dye, casein, shellac and gelatin, and an intermediate for the preparation of benzyl ester or ether.

It is also used to produce spices and flavoring agents (mostly benzyl esters of fatty acids) as additives in soaps, perfume, cosmetics and other products.

Because it has almost the same refractive index as quartz and wool fibers, it is used as a discriminant for quartz and wool fibers.

The hydroxyl group of benzyl alcohol used as a stabilizer and diluent in the flavor industry is very active. It can react with benzene to produce diphenylmethane, react with acrylonitrile to produce N-benzylacrylamide (Ritter reaction), and also react with phosphorus halide and halogenated acid to produce benzyl halide.

Both benzyl halide and benzyl alcohol are benzyl (benzyl) reagents, which are used to protect carboxylic acids and alcohol hydroxyl groups with benzyl groups. The benzyl protection group is easily removed by hydrogenation. In addition, benzyl alcohol is also easily oxidized to benzoic acid by various oxidants. If nitric acid is used for oxidation, aldehyde or acid can be generated depending on the concentration and temperature.

When injecting penicillin, in order to prevent patients from feeling too much pain, benzyl alcohol is often used for anesthesia, so that the pain will not be too strong, so benzyl alcohol is also called "painless water".

However, a common side effect was soon found clinically: gluteal muscle contracture. This is because benzyl alcohol is not easy to be absorbed by the human body, and it will remain in the injection site for a long time, which will lead to the necrosis of surrounding muscles, and even affect the development of bones. In 2005, the State Drug Administration issued a document prohibiting the injection of benzyl alcohol as penicillin solvent.