(2-Methoxyethyl)benzene

Description

Methyl phenethyl ether has a powerful diffusive and penetrating odor with a warm, floral note. It is "grassy" and pungent on dilution. May be prepared by catalytic reduction of phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal; from phenylethyl alcohol and methanol.

Chemical properties

(2-Methoxyethyl)benzene is a colorless liquid with a sharp, rosy-green odor. It is used in oriental-type perfumes as well as in artificial keora oil.

Chemical properties

Methyl phenethyl ether has a powerful, diffusive and penetrating odor with a warm, floral note; “grassy” and pungent on dilution.

Occurrence

Reported as occurring in Pandanus odoratissimus and in the oil of Tagetes signata and Scotch spearmint oil; also in litchi

The Uses of (2-Methoxyethyl)benzene

Phenylethyl methyl ether is a volatile compound that can be found in Litchi wine (and Litchi fruit) during winemaking. Phenylethyl methyl ether is also an additive to perfumes, detergents and soaps.

Preparation

By catalytic reduction of phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal; from phenylethyl alcohol and methanol

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthetic Communications, 25, p. 2435, 1995 DOI: 10.1080/00397919508015447

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable