Food additives Europe numbers: E1519
Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with the formula C6H5CH2OH. It is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent due to its polarity, low toxicity, and low vapor pressure. It is used as a preservative in pharmaceuticals, as a flavoring in food, and as a fragrances in perfumes. It is also used as a precursor to benzaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and related compounds.
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild aromatic odor. It is a versatile compound with a wide range of applications in medicine, industry, and other fields.
In medicine, benzyl alcohol is used as:
- A topical anesthetic: It is sometimes used to numb the skin before injections or other procedures. However, it is not as commonly used as other numbing agents because it can irritate the skin.
- An antiparasitic agent: It is used in some lice treatment products to kill lice and their eggs.
- A preservative: It is sometimes added to medications and cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
It is important to note that benzyl alcohol can be toxic in high doses, especially to infants and young children. It can cause serious side effects, including coma and death. For this reason, it is important to use benzyl alcohol only as directed by a healthcare professional.
Here are some additional details about benzyl alcohol:
- Chemical formula: C6H5CH2OH
- Molecular weight: 108.14 g/mol
- Boiling point: 205.9 °C (402.6 °F)
- Solubility in water: 3.5 g/100 mL at 20 °C (68 °F)
It is important to remember that benzyl alcohol is a medication and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.