ISOAMYL ALCOHOL

Chemical properties

clear liquid

Chemical properties

Isoamyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild, choking alcohol odor. Less dense than water, soluble in water. Hence floats on water. Produces an irritating vapor.

Definition

ChEBI: Pentan-1-ol is 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. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is an alkyl alcohol, a primary alcohol, a pentanol and a short-chain primary fatty alcohol.

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.

The Uses of ISOAMYL ALCOHOL

Isoamy alcohol is routinely used in molecular biology, especially in the purification of DNA. It is widely used in conjunction with phenol and chloroform (25:24:1 phenol : chloroform : isoamyl alcohol) for the removal of proteins from the nucleic acid solutions by extraction.

Synthesis

Isoamyl alcohol can be synthesized by condensation of isobutene and formaldehyde which produces isoprenol, then hydrogenation.

Shipping

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

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.