Chemical Properties
white crystalline mass, needles or crystals
Uses
Perfumery, flavoring dyes, laboratory reagent.
Uses
4-Methylbenzyl alcohol is used in fragrances, flavoring and as a laboratory reagent. It is also used as a raw material for the preparation of polycarbonates and 4-methyl-benzaldehyde.
Production Methods
p-Tolyl alcohol is commercially prepared by reducing p-tolyl
aldehyde. It is used mainly in fragrances, and the
major route of exposure is likely to be dermal contact.
Definition
ChEBI: A methylbenzyl alcohol in which the methyl substituent is para to the hydroxymethyl group.
Synthesis Reference(s)
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 52, p. 946, 1987
DOI: 10.1021/jo00381a047
General Description
Needles or off-white crystalline powder.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
4-Methylbenzyl alcohol can react with acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides and oxidizing agents.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition 4-Methylbenzyl alcohol emits acrid smoke and toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for 4-Methylbenzyl alcohol are not available. 4-Methylbenzyl alcohol is probably combustible.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
Purification Methods
Crystallise the alcohol from pet ether (b 80-100o, 1g/mL), Et2O, pentane or H2O (m 61-62.1o). It can also be distilled in a vacuum. [Beilstein 6 H 498, 6 I 248, 6 II 469, 6 III 1779.]
