Amyl alcohol toxicity

The C-5 alcohols are more toxic and narcotic than the lower homologues. Toxicity to rats from amyl alcohols decreases in the order tertiary, secondary, primary. Toxicity of 3-methyl-1-butanol appears to have been studied the most. This alcohol caused a slight increase in cancerous tumors compared to controls in two studies (137,138). The tumors were located primarily in the stomach and Hver. 

Their fire hazard and toxicity are given in Ref 7. The explosion hazard of amyl alcohols is moderate when exposed to flame(Ref 7). Ritter et al(Ref 3a) detd the temp at which mixts of air with satd vapor of amyl alcohol (in contact with some of the liq) in a stopped flask is explosive. Pressure of expin was also measured... 

Pentanol, CH3(CH2)3CH2OH Amyl alcohol liquid bp, 138°C irritant, causes headache and nausea low vapor pressure and low water solubility reduce toxicity hazard... 

Toxicity Vapors of amyl alcohol cause mild irritation to mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, upper respiratory tract, and to the skin. Acute and longterm exposure to amyl alcohol causes nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, and muscular weakness. Prolonged exposure also may cause narcotic effects. 

In order to investigate the effect of organic solvent, tert-amyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and acetone, were chosen as reaction media, mainly because of their compatibiUty with the reaction studied, as weU as their low toxicity [29]. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. Human systemic effects by inhalation conjunctiva irritation, headache, and somnolence. A human eye irritant. Apparently more toxic than butyl acetate. Chronic toxicity is of a low order. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame can react with oxidizing materials. Moderately explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to flame. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also ESTERS, AMYL ALCOHOL, and ACETIC ACID. 

Caution Commercial amyl alcohol is considerably more toxic than ethyl alcohol. See also 1 -Pentanol and Isopentyl Alcohol. 

Amyl alcohols occur in several isomeric forms, most of which are flammable and slightly toxic. These isomers, with their synonyms, CAS number, and some physical properties are presented in Table 4.1. 

The first lipophilicity-activity relationship was published by Charles Richet in 1893, exactly 100 years ago. From his quantitative investigations of the toxicities of ethanol, diethyl ether, urethane, paraldehyde, amyl alcohol, acetophenone, and essence of absinthe ( ) he concluded plus Us sont solubles, mains Us sont toxiques (the more they are soluble, the less toxic they are). One year later Emil Fischer derived the lock and key model of ligand-enzyme interactions from his results on the stereospecificity of the enzymatic cleavage of anomeric glycosides. 

Many alcohols including ethanol, methanol, and the amyl alcohols are flammable and exhibit varying degrees of toxicity. The often desired inebriating effect of alcoholic beverages is one manifestation of the potential toxicity of ethanol. Almost all denaturants are toxic by definition. Other alcohols may have other hazards. 

Properties Colorless to wh. transparent cryst. powd., odorless sol. in cold water, acetone, ethanol, amyl alcohol m.w. 97.19 dens. 1.886 m.p. 173 C dec. 500 C pH 5.S-8.7 (5%) Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 854 mg/kg LDLo (subcut., rabbit) 55 mg/kg, (IV, rabbit) 150 mg/kg, (oral, human) 80 mg/kg (hallucinations, convulsions, muscle weakness) poison by IV route mod. toxic by subcut. and ing. human poison by ing. Ig. doses may cause skin eruptions, psychoses, collapse experimental teratogen TSCA listed... 

Properties Wh. cryst. solid unpleasant sweet taste discolors to pink in light and air very sol. in alcohol, ether, glycerol, CCI4, acetic acid, pyridine, amyl alcohol, liq. ammonia sol. in water, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, oxygenated soivs. si. sol. in chloroform, benzene m.w. 110.12 dens. 1.285 (15 C) vapor pressure 1 mm (108.4 C) m.p. 110 C b.p. 280.5 C flash pt. (CC) 127 C Toxicology ACGIH TLV/TWA 10 ppm STEL 20 ppm LD50 (oral, rat) 301 mg/kg, (IP, mouse) 215 mg/kg, (subcut., mouse) 213 mg/kg, (skin, rabbit) 3360 mg/kg poison by ing., IP, parenteral, subcut. routes mod. toxic by skin contact and IV route human poison by ing. skin and severe eye irritant may cause hyperemia, dermatitis, edema. 

Amyl alcohol Amyl alcohol (pentanol) produces anaemia and toxic effects on the liver and kidneys, reflecting a tendency to increased systemic toxicity as the molecular weight of the alcohol increases. 

Esters. Esters are, in general, fairly readily hydrolysed in the body to give the corresponding alcohol and acid anion. They thus show the generic properties of irritation and effects on the CNS, together with any systemic effects associated with the products of hydrolysis. Such effects are usually associated with the alcohol. For example, ethyl acetate (OES 400 ppm 8h TWA) shows little in the way of specific toxicity whereas amyl acetate can give rise to anaemia and liver effects similar to those produced by amyl alcohol. 

In order to reduce the need for strict control and heavy taxation on industrially produced ethanol, the alcohol is denatured. Denaturing is a process of adding other compounds to the ethanol to render it unfit for consumption. Denaturants are selected to give the ethanol a disagreeable taste or odor and in some cases a distinctive color. In some cases the substances added are toxic and produce gastric disturbances upon ingestion and/or other unpleasant symptoms. A large number of different "denaturants" are utilized dependent upon the use for which the ethanol is intended. These denaturants include methyl isobutyl ketone, pyronate, kerosene, acetone, turpentine, amyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and various butyl alcohols. In some cases more than one denaturant is utilized. 

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