Benzyl Alcohol
Other names: Benzenemethanol, Benzylic alcohol, Phenylcarbinol, Phenylmethanol, Phenylmethyl alcohol, Alpha-toluenol
INCI: Benzyl alcohol
CAS no: 100-51-6
Molecular formula: C7H8O
Molecular weight: 108.14
Rank of popularity: 81/502
Intended function: Fragrance, Preservative, Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Log P: 1.06
Carcinogenic potential: Category 3 (use with precaution)
Allergenic potential: Weak sensitizer (max dose = 7.29 μg/cm2/hr)
Uses
Benzyl alcohol (BA) is an aromatic alcohol used as a solvent in the production of fragrances/perfumes, paints and adhesives. BA has been widely used in human medicine as an antimicrobial preservative and as a
local anesthetic and
antipruritic.
Although available for some years as an over-the-counter health product, benzyl alcohol was approved in 2003 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a new prescription drug for the treatment of
head lice. Unlike typical pediculicides such as permethrin and
lindane which act through a neurotoxic mode of action, benzyl alcohol is thought to operate via a unique mechanism involving physical pulmonary
asphyxiation. The presence of benzyl alcohol in such a wide range of consumer products is explained by its bacteriostatic and antiseptic properties in conjunction with its comparatively modest toxicity.
Outside of its natural occurrence in foods (apricots,
cranberries, and cocoa), manufactured benzyl alcohol is used as a flavor-enhancing solvent, and can be used in baked goods, liqueurs and wines. In commercially manufactured cosmetics and skin products, benzyl alcohol is frequently used as a preservative due to its ability to kill microbes – especially parasites. In 1998, the FDA reported benzyl alcohol to be present in 322 cosmetic formulations belonging to 43 cosmetic-product categories.
Additionally, benzyl alcohol is used in photographic development. Aside from developing color movie films, as a solvent, benzyl alcohol is a component of inks, paints and
epoxy resin coatings. It is an indirect
food additive for use as a component of resinous and polymeric coatings.