Phenethyl alcohol, or 2-phenylethanol, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₅CH₂CH₂OH. It is a colourless liquid with a pleasant floral odor and occurs widely in nature, being found in a variety of essential oils. It is slightly soluble in water and is readily soluble in ethanol, ether and most organic solvents. Technical properties commonly used in formulation and process design include a molecular weight of 122.17 g mol^-1, CAS number 60-12-8, boiling point around 219 to 221 degrees C at atmospheric pressure, density approximately 1.01 to 1.02 g mL^-1 at 20 degrees C and a refractive index near 1.539 to 1.541; the compound has moderate lipophilicity (log P around 1.7 to 1.9) and a flash point typically above 90 degrees C, which guides safe handling and storage.
Commercial and laboratory grades of phenethyl alcohol are supplied with specifications that control typical impurities and related compounds; a high-purity reagent grade will commonly specify assay by gas chromatography of 99.0 percent or greater on a weight basis. Typical maximum limits for related substances are water content less than or equal to 0.2 percent, benzyl alcohol and phenylacetic acid each often limited to 0.05 percent or lower, phenylacetaldehyde limited to about 0.02 percent, and trace levels of ethylbenzene, styrene or other aromatic by-products generally below 0.005 to 0.01 percent depending on the supplier and analytical method. Residual solvent and sulfur-containing impurities are controlled to trace levels; exact limits vary by grade and regulatory or application requirements and should be confirmed on the product certificate of analysis.
Phenethyl alcohol is used as a fragrance and flavor ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics and food flavorings, as a solvent and intermediate in chemical synthesis, and as a preservative or antimicrobial adjunct in some formulations.
At typical concentrations used in fragrances and consumer products it is generally considered low toxicity, but concentrated material can cause skin and eye irritation and inhalation of high vapour concentrations may cause respiratory irritation; safe handling, use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to exposure limits are recommended.
When exposed, phenethyl alcohol can be absorbed via the skin, lungs or gastrointestinal tract; low-level exposure commonly produces only mild, reversible irritation in sensitive individuals, while larger doses can lead to central nervous system effects such as headache or dizziness; metabolism primarily involves oxidation to corresponding aldehyde and acid followed by conjugation and elimination.
