1-Pentanol

Description

1-Pentanol is a monohydroxy alcohol. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Its combustion properties have been studied as it shows promising features to be an alternative to gasoline and diesel fuels. The conversion of 1-pentanol to di-n-pentyl ether (DNPE) in liquid phase at 423K in a batch reactor using ion exchange resins as catalysts.

Chemical properties

Amyl alcohols (pentanols) have eight isomers. All are flammable, colorless liquids, except the isomer 2,2- dimethyl-1-propanol, which is a crystalline solid.
Amyl alcohol has a characteristic fusel-like sweet and pleasant odor and burning taste. It is somewhat more toxic than ethyl alcohol.

Chemical properties

1-Pentanol is a clear, colorless liquid at ambient temperatures.The air odor detection level (lowest perceptible level) was reported as 10 ppm for 1-pentanol .

Occurrence

Reported found in banana, sweet cherry, cranberry, bourbon, vanilla, rice bran and Brazil nut.

The Uses of 1-Pentanol

Raw material for pharmaceutical preparations;organic synthesis solvent.
1-Pentanol is used as a key starting material in the production of dichloro-acetic acid pentyl ester, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, di-n-penyl ether (DNPE), pentyl butyrate and amyl acetate. As a solvent, it is used for coating CDs and DVDs. It has been considered to be a replacement for gasoline and diesel fuels due to its combustion properties. Further, it is used as a reagent to prepare derivatives of ferulic acid and caffeic acid, which shows anticancer properties.

The Uses of 1-Pentanol

1-Pentanol may be used as a cosurfactant in the water-in-oil mixed surfactant microemulsions.

What are the applications of Application

1-Pentanol is used as a reagent to prepare derivatives of Ferulic acid (sc-204753) and Caffeic acid (sc-200499) which exhibit anticancer properties

Definition

ChEBI: An alkyl alcohol that is pentane in which a hydrogen of one of the methyl groups is substituted by a hydroxy group. It has been isolated from Melicope ptelefolia.

Production Methods

1-Pentanol is made primarily by the oxo process, which involves the reaction of butenes with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, followed by hydrogenation. 1-Pentanol is used as a solvent, as a chemical intermediate for esters, and as a food additive and flavoring substance. The primary routes of industrial exposure are by dermal contact and inhalation.

Aroma threshold values

Detection at 1.6 to 70 ppm

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 50 ppm: intense fusel, fermented, bready and cereal with a fruity undertone

General Description

A colorless liquid with a mild to moderately strong odor. Less dense than water. Flash point 91°F. Boiling point 280°F. Vapors heavier than air. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Vapors may irritate skin and eyes. Used as a solvent and to make other chemicals.
Pentanol is incompatible with strong oxidising agents, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, hydrogen trisulphide, acids, acetaldehyde, acid anhydrides, acid chlorides, lithium aluminium hydride, isocyanates, dialkylmagnesiums, n-halomides, ethylene oxide, hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid, nitrogen tetraoxide, nitryl hypochlorite, permonosulphuric acid, and tri-isobutyl aluminium.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Moderately toxic, flammable if exposed to powerful oxidizers. Incompatible with oxidizing materials, hydrogen trisulfide [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 224].

Hazard

Lower explosive level in air 1.2% by volume. Moderate fire risk.

Health Hazard

Irritation of skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; headache and vertigo; dyspnea and cough; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Double vision, deafness, delirium, and occasionally fatal poisoning, preceded by severe nervous symptoms, have been reported. Coma, glycosuria, and methemoglobinemia can occur.

Fire Hazard

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact. An eye and upper respiratory irritant by inhalation. A severe skin and eye irritant. Ingestion can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, delirium, and methemoglobin formation. Mutation data reported. Extremely flammable if exposed to heat, flame, or powerful oxiduers. Moderately explosive when exposed to flame. Incompatible with oxidzing materials, hydrogen trisulfide. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, dry chemical.

Potential Exposure

(n-isomer); Suspected reprotoxic hazard, Primary irritant (w/o allergic reaction), (iso-, primary): Possible risk of forming tumors, Primary irritant (w/o allergic reaction), (sec-, active primary-, and other isomers) Primary irritant (w/o allergic reaction). Used as a solvent in organic synthesis and synthetic flavoring, pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors; making plastics and other chemicals; as a flotation agent. The (n-isomer) is used in preparation of oil additives, plasticizers, synthetic lubricants, and as a solvent.

First aid

Skin contact contributes significantly to overallexposure. If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

storage

Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store ina flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet awayfrom ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained onits proper handling and storage. Before entering confinedspace where amyl alcohols may be present, check to makesure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store intightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area awayfrom strong oxidizers; strong acids and hydrogen trifluoride;since violent reactions occur. Metal containers involving thetransfer of this chemical should be grounded and bonded.Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums orother storage containers to process containers. Drums mustbe equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuumbungs; and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools andequipment, especially when opening and closing containersof this chemical. Sources of ignition, such as smoking andopen flames, are prohibited where this chemical is used,handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potentialfire or explosion hazard.

Shipping

UN2811 Pentanols, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3- Flammable liquid. UN1987 Alcohols, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Purification Methods

Dry 1-pentanol with anhydrous K2CO3 or CaSO4, filter and fractionally distil it. It has also been treated with 1-2% of sodium and heated at reflux for 15hours to remove water and chlorides. Traces of water can be removed from the near-dry alcohol by refluxing it with a small amount of sodium in the presence of 2-3% n-amyl phthalate or succinate followed by distillation (see ethanol). Small amounts of amyl alcohol have been purified by esterifying with p-hydroxybenzoic acid, recrystallising the ester from CS2, saponifying with ethanolic-KOH, drying with CaSO4 and fractionally distilling [Olivier Recl Trav Chim Pays-Bas 55 1027 1936]. [Beilstein 1 IV 1640.]

Incompatibilities

Forms an explosive mixture with air. Contact with strong oxidizers and hydrogen trisulfide may cause fire and explosions. Incompatible with strong acids. Violent reaction with alkaline earth metals forming hydrogen, a flammable gas.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.