1-Pentanol

1-Pentanol, (or n-pentanol, pentan-1-ol), is an alcohol with five carbon atoms and the molecular formula C5H11OH. 1-Pentanol is colorless liquid with an unpleasant aroma. There are 7 other structural isomers of pentanol (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.