1-Pentanol

1Identification

Name

1-Pentanol

IUPAC name

pentan-1-ol

CAS number

71-41-0 (also reported: 30899-19-5)

EC number

200-752-1

Molecular formula

C5H12O

Molecular weight

88.15 g/mol

InChIKey

AMQJEAYHLZJPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

CCCCCO

PubChem CID

6276

Synonyms

1-Pentanol, Pentan-1-ol, Amyl alcohol, N-Amyl alcohol, n-Pentanol, Pentyl alcohol, Butylcarbinol, Amylol, 1-Pentyl alcohol, Butyl carbinol, n-Butylcarbinol, n-Pentan-1-ol, N-PENTYL ALCOHOL, Pentanol-1

Recommended uses

• Used as a solvent (resins, gums, petroleum additives, synthetic flavors, hydraulic fluids), intermediate, lubricant, ore-flotation agent, plasticizer, corrosion inhibitor, and antioxidant; [HSDB] Occurs naturally in many foods; [CHEMINFO]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Metal Extraction and Refining [Category: Industry]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• In organic synthesis; as solvent.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Intermediate Solvent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Dispersing agent Solvent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: Fragrance Ingredients · Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes · Flavoring Agents -> JECFA Flavorings Index

Description

• N-pentanol appears as a colorless liquid with a mild to moderately strong odor. Less dense than water. Flash point 91 °F. Boiling point 280 °F. Vapors heavier than air. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Vapors may irritate skin and eyes. Used as a solvent and to make other chemicals.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Pentan-1-ol is a short-chain primary fatty alcohol that is pentane in which a hydrogen of one of the methyl groups is substituted by a hydroxy group. It has been isolated from Melicope ptelefolia. It has a role as a plant metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a pentanol and a short-chain primary fatty alcohol.
  ChEBI
• 1-pentanol has been reported in Camellia sinensis, Angelica gigas, and other organisms with data available.
  LOTUS - the natural products occurrence database

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Warning

Pictograms

GHS02, GHS07

Classification source

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

5 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

NFPA 704 rating

• 1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 3 - Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Materials produce hazardous atmospheres with air under almost all ambient temperatures or, though unaffected by ambient temperatures, are readily ignited under almost all conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Health hazards

• Irritation of skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; headache and vertigo; dyspnea and cough; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Double vision, deafness, delirium, and occasionally fatal poisoning, preceded by severe nervous symptoms, have been reported. Coma, glycosuria, and methemoglobinemia can occur. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Flammable. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. Above 43 °C explosive vapour/air mixtures may be formed.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC] Vapor can cause lacrimation, but no significant corneal injury; [HSDB]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Symptoms of exposure

• Cough. Sore throat. Headache. Nausea. Dizziness. Drowsiness. Unconsciousness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain. Temporary loss of vision.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

5Fire-fighting measures

• Extinguish with dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. Water may be ineffective on fire. Cool exposed containers with water.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Keep run-off water out of sewers and water sources. /pentanols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Isolation and evacuation

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]: IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet). FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Spill cleanup

• Remove all ignition sources. Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and particulates adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash, cement powder, or commercial sorbents. /pentanols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Environmental considerations: Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. /pentanols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Environmental considerations: Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. /pentanols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, and alkaline metals and alkaline-earth metals. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

Personal protective equipment

• Face splash shield, goggles, protective clothing, and cartridge respirator. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Standard industrial hygiene controls should be used in limiting employee exposure. These include the use of barrier creams and personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. canister-type respirators capable of absorbing organic vapor will protect against pulmonary absorption in areas with low levels of air contamination. Airline respirators or self-contained oxygen equipment should be used in enclosed work areas and where there is high level contamination. /phenyl alcohols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Personnel protection: Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots, and goggles. /pentanols/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• Moderately toxic, flammable if exposed to powerful oxidizers. Incompatible with oxidizing materials, hydrogen trisulfide [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 224].
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Highly flammable. Soluble in water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Attacks many alkaline and earth alkaline metals forming flammable/explosive gas.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Incompatible with oxidizing materials, hydrogen trisulfide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Routes of exposure

• The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Short-term exposure effects

• The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. If swallowed the substance may cause vomiting and could result in aspiration pneumonitis. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. Exposure at high levels could cause lowering of consciousness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Long-term exposure effects

• Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Environmental fate

• n-Pentyl alcohol's production and use as a solvent in the manufacturing of petroleum additives, urea-formaldehyde plastics processing, organic chemical manufacturing and raw material for pharmaceutical preparations, may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. n-Pentyl alcohol occurs in animal wastes and in essential oils of vegetation. It also occurs in volatile components of many foods. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 2.2 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates n-pentyl alcohol will exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase n-pentyl alcohol will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals;
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Ecotoxicity

• LC50 Brachydanio rerio (Zebra fish) 530 mg/L/96 hr; static
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• LC50 Leuciscus idus (Golden orfe) 479 mg/L/48 hr; static
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• LC50 Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow, fry <24 hr old) 606 mg/L/96 hr; flow through
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for pentanol: Activated carbon.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Amyl alcohol is a waste chemical stream constituent which may be subjected to ultimate disposal by controlled incineration.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

UN number: UN 1105

Shipping name

• UN 1105; Pentanols
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• IMO 3.2; Pentanols
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

DOT label

• Flammable Liquid
  CAMEO Chemicals

UN classification

• UN Hazard Class: 3; UN Pack Group: III
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Amyl alcohol is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Amyl alcohol is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in accordance with the following conditions: a) they are used in the minimum quantity required to produce their intended effect, and otherwise in accordance with all the principles of good manufacturing practice, and 2) they consist of one or more of the following, used alone or in combination with flavoring substances and adjuvants generally recognized as safe in food, prior-sanctioned for such use, or regulated by an appropriate section in this part.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 6276 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.