Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol is an aromatic alcohol widely used in the fragrance and flavor industries. It has a mild floral scent and serves as an important ingredient in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics. This compound is valued for its ability to enhance and stabilize fragrances, providing a lasting aroma in many personal care products. Chemically, it consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, forming a structure that combines an aromatic benzyl group with an alcohol functional group.
🧪 Chemical Formula and Structure
IUPAC Name: 1-(Dimethylphenyl)methanol (commonly known as Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol)
Common Name: Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol
Chemical Formula: C9H12O
Molecular Weight: 136.19 g/mol
It contains a benzyl ring attached to a carbinol (alcohol) group with two methyl substitutions on the aromatic ring.
🌡️ Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, sweet, floral fragrance
Boiling Point: Approximately 210–215 °C
Melting Point: Around −10 °C
Density: ~1.0 g/cm³
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with most organic solvents like ethanol and ether
Stability: Stable under normal conditions but may oxidize if exposed to strong oxidizers
⚗️ Applications of Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol
Fragrance Industry:
Used as a fixative to enhance and prolong the scent in perfumes, colognes, and personal care products.Adds a subtle floral and sweet note to fragrance compositions.
Flavor Industry:
Acts as an intermediate in the synthesis of flavoring agents that contribute mild aromatic notes in food products.
Cosmetics and Personal Care:
Incorporated in soaps, shampoos, lotions, and creams for its pleasant aroma and stabilizing effect.
Chemical Synthesis:
Serves as a building block in the manufacture of other aromatic alcohols and related compounds used in various industries.