7842. Propyl Alcohol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 71-23-8
1-Propanol; 1-hydroxypropane; propylic alcohol; Optal.
C3H8O; mol wt 60.10.
C 59.95%, H 13.42%, O 26.62%.

Description and references

Discovered by Chancel in 1853 in crude fusel oil and obtained therefrom by fractionation; available as a byproduct of the reaction between carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Toxicity study: Smyth et al., Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Med. 10, 61 (1954).

Chemical structure

Properties

Liquid; alcoholic and slightly stupefying odor. mp -127°. bp 97.2°. d420 0.8053; d425 0.8016: Mumford, Phillips, J. Chem. Soc. 1950, 75. Flash pt 22°C. nD20 1.3862. Miscible with water, alcohol, ether. LD50 orally in rats: 1.87 g/kg (Smyth).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, nose and throat; dry cracking skin; drowsiness, headache; ataxia, GI pain; abdominable cramps; nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 268.

Use

As a solvent for resins and cellulose esters, etc.