Phenethyl alcohol, also known as 2-phenylethanol or benzyl carbinol, is an aromatic alcohol with a pleasant floral scent. It is often used in the perfume industry and as a flavoring agent in foods.

The name "Phenethyl alcohol can be divided as follows:

• Phen- refers to the phenyl group (C6H5-), a six-carbon ring, also known as a benzene ring.
• -ethyl refers to the ethyl group (-CH2CH3), a two-carbon chain.
• alcohol indicates that the compound has an attached hydroxyl (-OH) group.

The structure of phenethyl alcohol is a benzene ring (the part "Phen-") attached to an ethyl group (the part "ethyl") with a hydroxyl group (the part "alcohol") at the end of the ethyl group.

The synthesis of phenethyl alcohol can be obtained through several methods:

• Friedel-Crafts alkylation,  a type of chemical reaction that involves the alkylation of an aromatic ring. In this case, benzene is reacted with ethyl chloride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst such as aluminium chloride (alcl3) to form ethylbenzene. Ethylbenzene is then oxidized to form phenethyl alcohol.
• Reduction of phenylacetic acid: phenylacetic acid can be reduced to phenethyl alcohol by using a reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4).
• Microbial synthesis: Certain microorganisms, such as yeasts and bacteria, can produce phenethyl alcohol as a by-product of their metabolism. This method is often used in the production of natural flavors and scents.

It comes in the form of transparent liquid

Where do you get naturally

Phenethyl alcohol is obtained from Forsythia suspense and other plants.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Antiseptic, antimicrobial, disinfectant.

A fragrance that is added in cosmetic products.

Fragrance. It plays a decisive and important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product. 

Phenethyl alcohol, studies

• Molecular Formula: C₈H₁₀O
• Linear Formula: C₆H₅CH₂CH₂OH
• Molecular Weight: 122.16
• CAS: 60-12-8
• EINECS 200-456-2

Synonyms :

• 2-Phenylethanol
• Phenylethyl alcohol
• 2-Phenethanol
• Phenyl ethyl alcohol
• beta-Phenylethyl alcohol
• Ethanol, 2-phenyl-
• Benzylcarbinol
• Phenethylalcohol
• 2-Hydroxyethylbenzene
• 1-Phenyl-2-ethanol
• PubChem Substance ID: 24901348
• Flavis number: 2.019
• MDL number: MFCD00002886
• FEMA Number: 2858
• Beilstein Registry Number: 1905732
• Council of Europe no.: 68