Benzyl Alcohol CAS 100-51-6
Benzyl Alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild aromatic odor, found naturally in jasmine and ylang-ylang and made industrially by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride. It works as a preservative and solvent in medicines and personal care, a coalescent and epoxy diluent in coatings, and a fixative in fragrance. UATChem supplies industrial grade at 99.0% min and NF/USP grade at 99.8% min, in plastic or steel drums and 1000 kg IBC totes, with COA, TDS and SDS on every order.
- CAS: 100-51-6
- EINECS: 202-859-9
- Synonyms: Phenylmethanol; Benzenemethanol; Phenylcarbinol
- Molecular Formula: C7H8O
- Molecular Weight: 108.14
- Appearance: Colorless clear liquid
- Assay (GC): 99.0% min (industrial) / 99.8% min (NF/USP)
- Boiling Point: ~205 °C
- Flash Point: ~100 °C (closed cup)
- Specific Gravity (20 °C): 1.042 – 1.047
- Packaging: Plastic / steel drum; 1000 kg IBC tote
About Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is a small molecule carrying both a benzene ring and an alcohol group, which gives it an unusual combination: aromatic solvency close to stronger solvents, a boiling point near 205 °C that slows evaporation, and low acute toxicity that lets it sit inside drug and cosmetic formulas. It occurs naturally in jasmine, ylang-ylang and tolu balsam, and is produced industrially by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride.
End Uses
- Pharmaceutical excipient. Solvent and mild antimicrobial in bacteriostatic water for injection, topical analgesic preparations and oral liquids. NF/USP grade is required, and not for use in newborns.
- Personal care. Preservative, solvent and viscosity thinner in creams, wipes, hair color and cleansers, used within regional cosmetic limits.
- Coatings and epoxy systems. Slow-evaporating coalescent in waterborne coatings and a diluent-accelerator in epoxy flooring and potting compounds.
- Fragrance and flavour. Fixative and carrier that holds floral and balsamic notes, and a permitted flavour material in its own right.
- Synthesis and inks. Starting material for benzyl esters and benzylation in agrochemical and dye routes, and a high-boiling solvent in ballpoint and specialty inks.
Industrial and NF/USP Grades
The grade decision comes before the price decision. Industrial grade suits general synthesis, coatings and household products. NF/USP grade meets the pharmacopeia monograph at 99.8% assay, heavy metals at 2 ppm max and tighter acidity and color, batch-certified for pharmaceutical excipient use. Mixing the two in a regulated product is a documentation error, not just a purity gap. State the target pharmacopeia when requesting a quote.
| Test Parameter | Industrial Grade | NF/USP Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Assay (GC) | 99.0% min | 99.8% min |
| Water Content | 0.1% max | 0.05% max |
| Acidity (as Benzoic Acid) | 0.05% max | 0.02% max |
| Color (APHA) | 10 max | 5 max |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 10 ppm max | 2 ppm max |
| Specific Gravity at 20 °C | 1.042 – 1.047 | |
Oxidation, Storage and Ordering
- Benzyl alcohol oxidizes slowly in air, first to benzaldehyde, then to benzoic acid, which is why acidity is tested as benzoic acid. Keep containers sealed; nitrogen blanketing is available for NF/USP lots.
- Store cool, dark and away from oxidizers. Flash point near 100 °C sits above the highly-flammable threshold, but ground lines during bulk transfer.
- Packaging: plastic or steel drums and 1000 kg IBC totes, container loading for export orders; private labelling available.
- Shelf life 24 months unopened. COA, TDS and SDS on every shipment; samples available; quotes within one working day. State the grade (industrial or NF/USP) and quantity in your RFQ.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between industrial and USP benzyl alcohol?
A: USP hits 99.8% assay and 2 ppm heavy metals, with monograph batch certification.
Q: Is benzyl alcohol used in medicines?
A: Yes. It is the preservative in bacteriostatic water and a solvent in topical drugs.
Q: Why does acidity rise during storage?
A: Slow air oxidation forms benzaldehyde then benzoic acid, so sealed storage matters.
Q: Is benzyl alcohol safe in cosmetics?
A: Safe within regional limits; some rules require it declared as a fragrance allergen.
Q: What is benzyl alcohol used for industrially?
A: Coalescent, epoxy diluent, benzylation intermediate and high-boiling ink solvent.
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