4-Phenyl-2-butanol has a herbaceous, aromatic, floral-fruity odor.
4-Phenyl-2-butanol is a reagent used for the direct alkylation of amines with primary and secondary alcohols through biocatalytic hydrogen borrowing. It is also used in the preparation of personal care composition comprising malodor reduction compositions.
The optically inactive product can be prepared by hydrogenation of benzylidene acetone in alcohol solution; under pressure
in the presence of platinum oxide, palladium oxide or ferrous sulfate; by reduction with magnesium in methanol.
4-Phenyl-2-butanol undergoes (η5-pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl)RuCl(CO)2 catalyzed racemization efficiently at room temperature in the presence of a base. 4-Phenyl-2-butanol on reaction with sulfuric acid yields polymer.
