1-Pentanol
Encyclopedia
1-Pentanol, is an alcohol
with five carbon atoms and the molecular formula C5H12O. 1-Pentanol is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant aroma. There are 8 alcohols with this molecular formula (see amyl alcohol
). The ester
formed from butanoic acid and 1-pentanol, pentyl butyrate
, smells like apricot. The ester
formed from acetic acid
and 1-pentanol, amyl acetate
(pentyl acetate), smells like banana.
Pentanol can be prepared by fractional distillation
of fusel oil. To reduce the use of fossil fuels, research is underway to discover cost effective methods of utilizing fermentation to produce Bio-Pentanol. Pentanol can be used as a solvent for coating CDs and DVDs. Another use is a replacement for gasoline.
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
with five carbon atoms and the molecular formula C5H12O. 1-Pentanol is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant aroma. There are 8 alcohols with this molecular formula (see amyl alcohol
Amyl alcohol
An amyl alcohol is any of 8 alcohols with the formula C5H11OH. A mixture of amyl alcohols can be obtained from fusel alcohol. Amyl alcohol is used as a solvent and in esterfication for example in the production of amyl acetate...
). The ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...
formed from butanoic acid and 1-pentanol, pentyl butyrate
Pentyl butyrate
Pentyl butyrate, also known as pentyl butanoate or amyl butyrate, is an ester that is formed when pentanol is reacted with butyric acid, usually in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst. This ester has a smell reminiscent of pear or apricot. This chemical is used as an additive in cigarettes....
, smells like apricot. The ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...
formed from acetic acid
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CO2H . It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar , and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell...
and 1-pentanol, amyl acetate
Amyl acetate
Amyl acetate is an organic compound and an ester with the chemical formula CH3COO[CH2]4CH3 and the molecular weight 130.19 g/mol. It has a scent similar to bananas and apples which is not detectable by all people. The compound is the condensation product of acetic acid and 1-pentanol...
(pentyl acetate), smells like banana.
Pentanol can be prepared by fractional distillation
Fractional distillation
Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture into its component parts, or fractions, such as in separating chemical compounds by their boiling point by heating them to a temperature at which several fractions of the compound will evaporate. It is a special type of distillation...
of fusel oil. To reduce the use of fossil fuels, research is underway to discover cost effective methods of utilizing fermentation to produce Bio-Pentanol. Pentanol can be used as a solvent for coating CDs and DVDs. Another use is a replacement for gasoline.