HEPTYL ALCOHOL Meaning and
Definition
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Heptyl alcohol, also known as heptanol or n-heptanol, is a colorless liquid organic compound that belongs to the class of primary alcohols. It is composed of a heptane backbone with a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group attached to one of its carbon atoms. The chemical formula for heptyl alcohol is C7H16O.
Heptyl alcohol is mainly derived from natural sources, such as fatty acids, and can be found in certain plant oils, including coconut oil and palm oil. It is also produced synthetically by the hydroformylation of propylene, a process that involves reacting propylene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas.
Heptyl alcohol has a characteristic sweet, fruity odor and is slightly soluble in water. It is primarily used as a solvent in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints, and coatings. Its low toxicity and favorable solvency properties make it a suitable ingredient for these applications.
Furthermore, heptyl alcohol is utilized in the synthesis of other chemicals, including esters, which are commonly used as flavoring agents in the food and beverage industry. It also serves as a precursor in the production of plasticizers and other organic compounds.
While heptyl alcohol is generally considered safe for use, prolonged exposure or ingestion can have harmful effects on human health. Inhalation or skin contact may cause irritation and inflammation, while ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Therefore, proper handling and safety precautions should be followed when working with this substance.
Common Misspellings for HEPTYL ALCOHOL
- geptyl alcohol
- beptyl alcohol
- neptyl alcohol
- jeptyl alcohol
- ueptyl alcohol
- yeptyl alcohol
- hwptyl alcohol
- hsptyl alcohol
- hdptyl alcohol
- hrptyl alcohol
- h4ptyl alcohol
- h3ptyl alcohol
- heotyl alcohol
- heltyl alcohol
- he-tyl alcohol
- he0tyl alcohol
- hepryl alcohol
- hepfyl alcohol
- hepgyl alcohol
- hepyyl alcohol
Etymology of HEPTYL ALCOHOL
The word "heptyl" is derived from the Greek word "hepta", which means "seven". "Heptyl" refers to a seven-carbon alkyl chain. In chemistry, an alkyl group is a hydrocarbon chain formed by removing one hydrogen atom from the corresponding alkane.
The term "alcohol" originates from the Arabic word "al-kuḥl". Al-kuḥl referred to various powdered substances, including antimony sulfide, used in medicine and cosmetics. Over time, the term "alcohol" specifically began to describe a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a carbon atom. In the case of "heptyl alcohol", it refers to the presence of a hydroxyl group on the seventh carbon of the heptyl chain.
