Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is one of the simplest aromatic alcohols from the benzene group. It can be found in the form of esters or even free in essential oils derived from jasmine, hyacinth and some other flowers.
Benzyl alcohol properties
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid and has a pleasant floral smell. It has a burning taste; when it gets on the mucous membranes, alcohol has a local anesthetic (analgesic) effect.
The benzyl alcohol solution is stable in water, acidic and alkaline media. The antiseptic properties of benzyl alcohol allow it to be used as a preservative. Despite the fact that this substance is low-toxic, the use of benzyl alcohol in the production of children's cosmetics is not recommended.
Getting benzyl alcohol
The source for the production of benzyl alcohol can be natural raw materials. This substance can be extracted by means of extraction or hydrolysis, as well as using some chemical reactions.
The production of benzyl alcohol on an industrial scale is based on the oxidation of toluene and by exposing benzyl chloride to an aqueous alkali solution. Store benzyl alcohol in an airtight container in a dark and cool place.
The use of benzyl alcohol
As a food additive, benzyl alcohol has the designation E1519; it is not allowed for adding to food in all countries. The use of benzyl alcohol as a preservative allows products to retain their taste.
Benzyl alcohol is often used in the production of cosmetic products - lotions, hair dyes, creams, and dental elixirs. They use the antiseptic properties of benzyl alcohol, its ability to be a solvent and odor fixer.
Benzyl alcohol is added to aqueous cosmetic preparations at a concentration of up to 3%. As a perfume, it is used in perfumery, a weak solution of this substance smells pleasantly of jasmine.
In cleaning wet wipes for impregnation, a solution is used in which the proportion of benzyl alcohol is from 3 to 8%. Because alcohol evaporates quickly, it does not leave marks or a sticky feeling on the skin. When applying cosmetics containing benzyl alcohol to the skin, it is very rare, but there are still cases of allergic reactions in the form of a rash or redness.
In pharmacology, benzyl alcohol is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of some drugs, photoprotective agents for the skin.
Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
