Isoamyl alcohol is a speciality solvent that finds extensive use for flavours and fragrances and is used in the production of many synthetic flavours. Its relatively low eco-tox profile finds it use growing in other areas.
Chemical Name: | Isoamyl Alcohol |
Other Names: |
• 3-Methy-1-butanol • Isopentyl alcohol |
CAS No: |
123-51-3 |
Chemical Formula: | C5H12O |
Applications
- Isoamyl alcohol is used as solvent for the preparation of synthetic apricot, banana, cheery, greengage, malt, orange, plum and whiskey flavours, and is a raw material in the production of synthetic banana oil.
- It is one of the components of the aroma of the black truffle. It is also used for estimation of fat in milk and milk products.
- It is the main ingredient of Kovac’s Reagent used for the bacterial diagnostic Indole Test.
- Its blend of properties makes it suitable for use as a foam suppressant, affecting the surface tension of micro-emulsions and causing foam breaking.
- As a solvent it is finding increasing use in a wide number of industrial applications. In solvency power, it falls between common hydrocarbon solvents and lower molecular weight ketones. Paraffin wax is soluble in hot isoamyl alcohol.
- In formulation, some high molecular weight esters and polar plastics incorporate Isoamyl alcohol based systems eg cellulose esters. Shellac and urea formaldehyde.
- It is a diluent in some printing inks, lacquers and gums.
- In pharmaceuticals, it is the initial raw material for a number of drug preparations such as Barbamil, Validol, Corvalol and amyl nitrite.
- A derivative of Isoamyl alcohol, the p-methoxycinnamate is used as a UV absorber in some cosmetic formulations, and the product itself finds application as a cosmetic flavouring and in perfume.