Benzyl alcohol (pharma)
General Product Information
| Article | Benzyl alcohol (pharma) |
| Synonyms | E1519, α-Cresol, α-Toluenol, α-Hydroxytoluene, alpha-Hydroxyphenylmethane, Benzenemethanol, Benzyl hydroxide, Phenylcarbinol, Phenylmethanol (Hydroxymethyl)benzene |
| CAS No. | 100-51-6 |
| EEG No. | 603-057-00-5 |
| EINECS No. | 202-859-9 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 29062100 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol that has a wide range of Applications in the Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Chemical Industry. Benzyl alcohol is often used as a solvent, preservative and active ingredient in various products due to its antiseptic properties and low toxicity.
Characteristics
- Odor: Light fragrance reminiscent of a mixture of balsam and ether.
- Hygroscopic: Low.
- Color: Colorless.
- Grade: Pharmaceutical.
- Solubility: Soluble in water, Highly soluble in ethanol, ether and acetone.
- Shape: Liquid.
- Weak antiseptic activity: Often used as a preservative in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
- Emulsifying properties: Useful at the formulation of creams and lotions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | C7H8O |
| Molar Weight | 108.14 g/mol |
| Melting Point | -15,4 °C |
| Boiling Point | 205 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Refractive Index. | 1.539 (at 20 °C) |
| pH | Solutions of benzyl alcohol are neutral to slightly acidic |
Applications
Benzyl alcohol is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Pharmaceutical Industry
Benzyl alcohol is widely used as a solvent for injectable drugs, as a preservative in medicinal preparations such as injections, eye drops, and oral suspensions, because of its antiseptic properties. It is also used at the preparation of oral drugs and as an intermediate for the production of other pharmaceutical substances.
2. Cosmetics & Personal Care
In the cosmetics industry, benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative and solvent in products such as creams, lotions, shampoos and perfumes. It helps at stabilizing formulations and improving the texture of finished products.
3. Chemical Industry
Benzyl alcohol is used as a solvent in several industrial applications, including the production of resins, dyes, and other chemicals. It is also used as an intermediate in the production of benzyl esters, which in turn serve as solvents or fragrances.
Interessing Links
- British Pharmacopoeia (BP) of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- CAS Common Chemistry – Benzyl alcohol
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and food ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information about safety and application of food additives.
- European Pharmacopoeia (EP) of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare.
- PubChem – Benzyl Alcohol of the National Library of Medicine by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Wikipedia – Benzyl alcohol