Pentanol
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Pentan-1-ol
| |
| Other names
1-Pentanol
Amyl alcohol n-Amyl alcohol n-Pentanol | |
| Properties | |
| C5H12O C5H11OH | |
| Molar mass | 88.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Fusel-like |
| Density | 0.818 g/cm3 (15 °C) 0.8146 g/cm3 (20 °C) 0.811 g/cm3 (25 °C) |
| Melting point | −78 °C (−108 °F; 195 K) |
| Boiling point | 137.5 °C (279.5 °F; 410.6 K) |
| 2.2 g/100 ml (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | Miscible with acetone, diethyl ether, ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, toluene |
| Vapor pressure | 2.2 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar
entropy (S |
258.9 J·K−1·mol−1 |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
−351.90–−351.34 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | 49 °C (120 °F; 322 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
3,645 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Butanol tert-Amyl alcohol |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
1-Pentanol, also known as n-pentanol and n-amyl alcohol, is a heavy primary alcohol, often used in the manufacture of various pleasant smelling esters. It has the chemical formula C5H12O or C5H11OH.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Pentanol can be oxidized to pentanoic acid using a solution of potassium permanganate and sulfuric acid. An excess of permanganate or excessive temperature will oxidize the pentanoic acid further into water and carbon dioxide.
Physical
Pentanol is a slightly viscous colorless liquid, and is slightly soluble in water. It has a specific gravity of 0.814.
Availability
Amyl alcohol is sold by various chemical suppliers.
Pentanol can be obtained from the fractional distillation of fusel oil.
Preparation
n-Pentanol is generally cheaper to buy than to synthesize, but it can be prepared by hydrolysis of amyl acetate, which is used as an artificial banana flavor in the flavors industry.
Projects
- Make esters
- Make pentanoic acid
Handling
Safety
Like most higher-chain alcohols, n-pentanol has a high flash point, meaning it has low flammability.
Storage
Pentanol should be kept in bottles made of glass or a chemically resistant plastic such as HDPE, away from oxidizers and ideally in a proper flammables cabinet.
Disposal
N-pentyl alcohol can be safely disposed of by controlled burning or evaporation. This can be done by mixing it with ethanol or a volatile hydrocarbon and burned outside.
