4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol

Chemical properties

Pink to beige crystalline powder

Chemical properties

4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol is a white crystalline powder with slightly fruity-sweet coconut odor

Occurrence

Reportedly found in vanilla, Bourbon (Vanilla plantifolia Andrew

The Uses of 4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol

4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol is also used as an important raw material and intermediate used in organic Synthesis, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and dyestuff.

Definition

ChEBI: A member of the class of benzyl alcohols that is benzyl alcohol substituted by a hydroxy group at position 4. It has been isolated from Arcangelisia gusanlung.

Preparation

Prepared from p-cresol by using the microorganism, Pseudomonas putida.

General Description

4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) is a phenolic compound found in Gastrodia elata. It is as an antioxidant and anti-asthmatic agent.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Contact allergens

Methylol phenols are sensitizers contained in resins based on phenol and formaldehyde of the resol type. Cross-reactivity is possible with other phenol derivative molecules.

Precursor

4-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol can be utilized as a precursor to the synthesizing of:
HBA-integrated copolyoxalate (HPOX) nanoparticles that could be a drug delivery systems.
Poly(4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol) via enzyme catalyzed reactions.
4-Hydroxybenzyl imidazole derivatives.

The Uses of 4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol

4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol is the cleavage product produced during the biosynthesis of the thiazole moiety of thiamine from tyrosine as part of the thiamine biosynthesis pathway. It is a derivative of benzyl alcohol which is used as a local anesthetic and to reduce pain associated with Lidocaine injection. Also, it is used in the manufacture of other benzyl compounds, as a pharmaceutical aid, and in perfumery and flavoring.

Purification Methods

Crystallise the alcohol from H2O, *C6H6 (m 124o), *C6H6/EtOH or ClCH2CH2Cl (m 122o). [Beilstein 6 III 4546, 6 IV 5909.]