Isoamyl alcohol
Isoamyl alcohol (also known as isopentyl alcohol, isopentanol, or 3-methyl-1-butanol) is a colorless liquid with the formula (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH. It is one of several isomers of amyl alcohol. Isoamyl alcohol is used in a variety of applications including as a flavoring agent, in the production of esters, and as a solvent in industries such as pharmaceuticals and coatings.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Isoamyl alcohol is a primary alcohol and can be identified by its strong, banana-like odor. It is slightly soluble in water and fully miscible with organic solvents. It has a boiling point of 131.6°C and a melting point of -117.2°C. It is flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air.
Production[edit | edit source]
Isoamyl alcohol is primarily produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast in the brewing of alcohol. It is also produced synthetically by the hydration of isopentene, or the hydroformylation of butene followed by hydrogenation.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Isoamyl alcohol is used in a variety of applications. It is used as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry due to its strong, banana-like odor. It is also used in the production of esters, which are used in turn in the production of plastics, as well as in the production of perfumes and flavorings. In addition, isoamyl alcohol is used as a solvent in industries such as pharmaceuticals and coatings.
Health Effects[edit | edit source]
Exposure to isoamyl alcohol can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, central nervous system depression. Long-term exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
