Phenylethanol

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 * Name = Phenethyl alcohol
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 * ImageFile = Phenethyl alcohol.png

Benzyl carbinol β-Hydroxyethylbenzene Benzenethanol }}
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 * IUPACName = 2-Phenylethanol
 * OtherNames = Phenethyl alcohol
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Phenethyl alcohol, or 2-phenylethanol, is the organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2CH2OH. This colourless liquid occurs widely in nature, being found in a variety of essential oils, including rose, carnation, hyacinth, Aleppo pine, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, geranium, neroli, and champaca. It is slightly soluble in water (2 mL/100 mL H2O), but miscible with ethanol and ether.

Phenethyl alcohol is an alcohol with a pleasant floral odor. It is therefore a common ingredient in flavors and perfumery, particularly when the smell of rose is desired. It is used an an additive in cigarettes. It is also used as a preservative in soaps due to its stability in basic conditions. In biology it is of interest due to its antimicrobial properties.