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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: jennielynn_1980 on February 25, 2007, 01:10:23 PM

Title: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on February 25, 2007, 01:10:23 PM
I have to name all the isomers of 1-pentanol, classify them, and give a use for each one.  I can't find anything on the uses for each specific one, only general uses for the whole family of amyl alcohols.  If anyone has a link to a site with this info or a suggestion on how I would come up for the uses that would be great.  I have already named and classified them so I don't need help on this part.  Thanks :)
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: pantone159 on February 25, 2007, 01:19:27 PM
I think they make nice smelling esters, e.g. amyl acetate smells like banana.   I think that particular one is used sometimes for testing gas mask seals.  (I.e., put it on, let out some amyl acetate, and if you smell banana then the mask ain't on tight.)
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on February 25, 2007, 07:39:56 PM
The only thing I have found is that some are used as solvents and fuels.

Here are the actual names.  I need to say what each one is used for specifically.

1) 1-pentanol
2) 2-methyl-1-butanol
3) 3-methyl-1-butanol
4) 2,2-dimethyl-propanol
5) 2-pentanol
6) 3-pentanol
7) 3-methyl-2-butanol
8) 2-methyl-2-butanol
9) 1,1-dimethyl-1-propanol (Not too sure about this one.  Anyone know if it is considered an isomer of 1-pentanol?)

Thanks
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: Yggdrasil on February 25, 2007, 08:06:05 PM
I think there might be more isomers in a completely different class of compounds than the alcohols.
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on February 25, 2007, 08:21:40 PM
Sorry, I should've said the question I had was to give all the alcohols with the formula C5H11OH.  This question is driving me nuts.  I have been looking for 2 hours on google to find what they are used for and I still have 6 I can't find anything for.  I still need to find uses for:
1) 1-pentanol
2) 2-methyl-1-butanol
4) 2,2-dimethyl-propanol
5) 2-pentanol
6) 3-pentanol
9) 1,1-dimethyl-1-propanol
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on March 04, 2007, 02:26:14 PM
Anyone?  I am really stuck.  I know that amyl alcohol (mix of all isomers) is used as a fuel as well as in synthesis of "banana oil" and other smells, tastes but I don't know many other uses.
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: yuyu on February 18, 2008, 08:05:46 AM
i just made an experiment to prepare banana oil.in the lab manual we suppose to use isopentyl alcohol.but we don't have a stock of isopentyl alcohol.so we replace it by using 2-butanol.but our experiment was failed.so here i just want the explanation why our experiment was failed..can you all solve my problem?  :(
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: AWK on February 18, 2008, 09:22:07 AM
Quote
9) 1,1-dimethyl-1-propanol (Not too sure about this one.  Anyone know if it is considered an isomer of 1-pentanol?)

9 = 8

Note pentanols are commonly called  amyl alcohols
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyl_alcohol
Wikipedia show many links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentyl_butyrate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoamyl_acetate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentyl_pentanoate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyl_acetate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyl_nitrite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyl_nitrate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_additives_in_cigarettes
and so on
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: Arkcon on February 18, 2008, 10:13:12 AM
AWK:  I'm betting jennilynn has either solved this problem in the past year, or has moved on to other ones. :D

yuyu has performed thread necromancy, with a different question. :D
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: Yggdrasil on February 18, 2008, 12:14:42 PM
i just made an experiment to prepare banana oil.in the lab manual we suppose to use isopentyl alcohol.but we don't have a stock of isopentyl alcohol.so we replace it by using 2-butanol.but our experiment was failed.so here i just want the explanation why our experiment was failed..can you all solve my problem?  :(

What do you mean the experiment fail?  Did your reactants fail to react, or did your product not smell like banana?  If you try to make an ester using 2-butanol instead of iso-pentanol, your product will not smell like banana since it will be a completely different compound.
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: ashah on April 08, 2008, 08:39:25 PM
Hi jennielynn_1980,

I am sorry but even I am stuck on the same thing. actually year after i post this just coz even I started the same home study things. Some one is trying to make fun of me on this..hahah
Title: Re: Uses for the amyl alcohols
Post by: Arkcon on April 08, 2008, 09:04:25 PM
Has any of the forum regulars considered emailing jennielynn_1980: and letting her know how popular she's become ... one year after her question was asked?