Vanillyl alcohol Chemical Properties

Melting point:

110-117 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

237.52°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.1690 (rough estimate)

refractive index 

1.4620 (estimate)

FEMA 

3737 | VANILLYL ALCOHOL

storage temp. 

Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature

solubility 

soluble in Methanol

form 

Fine Crystalline Powder

pka

9.75±0.18(Predicted)

color 

Off-white to beige

Odor

at 100.00 %. sweet creamy vanilla caramellic coconut graham cracker tonka milky powdery

Odor Type

creamy

Water Solubility 

Soluble in 95% ethanol (5 %), water, and oils.

JECFA Number

886

BRN 

1910044

Stability:

Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids.

LogP

0.42

CAS DataBase Reference

498-00-0(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol(498-00-0)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xi

Risk Statements 

36/37/38

Safety Statements 

26-36

WGK Germany 

3

Hazard Note 

Irritant

HS Code 

29095090

MSDS

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Vanillyl alcohol Usage And Synthesis

Description

4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (also known as vanillyl alcohol) is often used as a deodorant component that is active in preventing the formation of body odor. It can also be used as a flavoring agent. Recent studies have also demonstrated that it has certain pharmacological effects. For example, it has been confirmed that it has certain neuro-protective effects through suppressing the oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic activity in toxin-induced dopaminergic MN9D cells, making it a potential candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

Chemical Properties

Vanillyl alcohol is a lignin derived aromatic diol. It has a mild, sweet, balsamic, vanilla-like odor.  It has a potential for the production of renewable epoxy thermosets. A bio-based bisphenolic analogue, bisguaiacol, was synthesized via the electrophilic aromatic condensation of vanillyl alcohol and guaiacol. From this, the diglycidyl ether of bisguaiacol was prepared. Further, three single aromatic diglycidyl ethers were synthesized from vanillyl alcohol, gastrodigenin, and hydroquinone. 

Chemical Properties

crystalline white to off-white powder

Uses

Used as a flavoring agent. Other possible uses, vanilla, coconut, cream and other dairy nuances, coumarin.

Definition

ChEBI: Vanillyl alcohol is a monomethoxybenzene that is 2-methoxyphenol substituted by a hydroxymethyl group at position 4. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a member of guaiacols and a member of benzyl alcohols.

Taste threshold values

Sweet, creamy and milky with a slightly powdery mouthfeel.

General Description

Vanillyl alcohol belongs to the phenolic group of compounds which are widely used as oxidants in food products.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Odor at 1.0%: sweet creamy, phenolic, vanilla and coconut-like with slight brown and coumarinic nuances.

Synthesis

Vanillyl alcohol is prepared from Vanillin by hydrogenation in presence of Platinum black.

References

Brune, I, et al. "Under the influence of the active deodorant ingredient 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol, the skin bacterium Corynebacterium jeikeium moderately responds with differential gene expression." Journal of Biotechnology 127.1(2006):21-33.
Hsu, Lun Chung, Z. H. Wen, and K. Y. Lee. "Use of vanillyl alcohol for the treatment of Parkinson's disease." (2009).
Kim, I. S., D. K. Choi, and H. J. Jung. "Neuroprotective effects of vanillyl alcohol in Gastrodia elata Blume through suppression of oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic activity in toxin-induced dopaminergic MN9D cells." Molecules 16.7(2011):5349.

Vanillyl alcohol(498-00-0)Related Product Information

• 4-Methoxybenzylchloride
• Vanillyl butyl ether
• Anisole
• Phenethyl alcohol
• Benzyl alcohol
• CHLOROPHOSPHONAZO III
• (Trifluoromethoxy)benzene
• p-Anisaldehyde
• 4-Nitrobenzyl alcohol
• Ethyl acetate
• 3,4,5-TRIETHOXYBENZOIC ACID
• 4-BENZYLOXY-3-METHOXYBENZYL ALCOHOL
• 4-ETHOXY-3-METHOXYBENZYL ALCOHOL
• 2,3,4-TRIMETHOXYBENZYL ALCOHOL
• 3,4-Dimethoxybenzyl alcohol
• 2,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoic acid
• Reserpine
• Vanillic acid