Anisole

Description

Anisole is a colorless liquid with a spicy-sweet smell. Anisole can be produced by all the aforementioned methods. It is an important intermediate in the synthesis of organic compounds, for example fragrances and pharmaceuticals. The compound is also used as a solvent and as a heat transfer medium.

Chemical properties

Anisole is a colorless to yellowish liquid with a characteristic pleasant, anise-like, agreeable, aromatic, spicy-sweet odor. It is used in perfumery.

Occurrence

Anisole is a natural product found in apple juice and in the oil of Artemisia dracunculus var. turkestanica; also reported found in butter, Camembert cheese, roasted beef, olive (Olea europae), Malay apple, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), Bourbon vanilla, truffles, crab and sopadilla fruit (Achras sapota L.).

The Uses of Anisole

Anisole is widely used as a solvent for the synthesis of various organic compounds, anethole, nonylphenol isomer 4-(3',6'-dimethyl-3-heptyl)phenol, perfumes, insect pheromones and pharmaceuticals. It finds application in the preparation of inorganic complexes and materials such as tin-core/tin oxide nanoparticles.

What are the applications of Application

Anisole is a biochemical for proteomics research

Definition

ChEBI: Anisole is a monomethoxybenzene that is benzene substituted by a methoxy group. It has a role as a plant metabolite.

Preparation

Anisole is synthesized by reacting phenol and dimethyl sulfate in the presence of aqueous NaOH; by passing methyl chloride into a suspension of sodium phenolate in liquid ammonia.

What are the applications of Application

Anisole is an organic compound with the chemical formula C7H8O with a pleasant anise-like aroma, used in organic synthesis and also as a solvent, fragrance and insect repellent. For organic synthesis, it is also used as solvent, fragrance and insect repellent.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 50 ppb

Synthesis Reference(s)

Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 40, p. 441, 1962 DOI: 10.1139/v62-070
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 88, p. 4271, 1966 DOI: 10.1021/ja00970a037
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 1, p. 58, 1941

General Description

A clear straw-colored liquid with an aromatic odor. Insoluble in water and the same density as water. Vapors heavier than air. Flash point 125°F. Boiling point 307°F. Moderately toxic by ingestion. A skin irritant. Used to make perfumes, flavorings and as a solvent.

Air & Water Reactions

Flammable. Ethers tend to form unstable peroxides when exposed to oxygen. Ethyl, isobutyl, ethyl tert-butyl, and ethyl tert-pentyl ether are particularly hazardous in this respect. Ether peroxides can sometimes be observed as clear crystals deposited on containers or along the surface of the liquid. Insoluble in water

Reactivity Profile

Ethers, such as Anisole can act as bases. They form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. The complex between diethyl ether and boron trifluoride is an example. Ethers may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, ethers are relatively inert.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion and inhalation. A skin irritant. A flammable liquid. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid fumes.

Potential Exposure

Anisole is used as a solvent; a flavoring, vermicide, making perfumes; and in organic synthesis.

First aid

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 away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Before enteringconfined space where anisole may be present, check tomake sure that an explosive concentration does not exist.Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated,fireproof area. Metal containers involving the transfer ofthis chemical should be grounded and bonded. Wherepossible, automatically pump liquid from drums or otherstorage containers to process containers. Drums must beequipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs,and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers ofthis 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

Anisole requires a shipping label of“FLAMMABLE LIQUID.” Anisole falls in Hazard Class 3,Packing Group III.[19, 20]

Purification Methods

Shake anisole with half its volume of 2M NaOH, and the emulsion is allowed to separate. Repeat three times, then wash twice with water, dry over CaCl2, filter, dry over sodium wire and finally distil it from fresh sodium under N2 using a Dean-Stark trap (samples in the trap being rejected until free from turbidity) [Caldin et al. J Chem Soc, Faraday Trans 1 72 1856 1976]. Alternatively dry it with CaSO4 or CaCl2, or by refluxing with sodium or BaO with crystalline FeSO4 or by passage through an alumina column. Traces of phenols are removed by prior shaking with 2M NaOH, followed by washing with water. It has been be purified by zone refining. [Beilstein 6 IV 548.]

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides.

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.