Products Description
Benzaldehyde is a naturally occurring aromatic aldehyde, also known as benzoic aldehyde or phenylmethanal. It is the simplest and most commercially important aromatic aldehyde, widely recognized for its characteristic bitter almond odor. It appears as a colorless to light yellow oily liquid and serves as a key building block in the flavor, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical industries.
Chemical Properties
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Melting point | -26 °C (lit.) |
Boiling point | 178 – 179 °C (lit.) |
Density | 1.044 g/cm³ (20 °C, lit.) |
Vapor density | 3.7 (vs air) |
Vapor pressure | 4 mmHg (45 °C); 1.3 hPa (20 °C); 133 Pa (26 °C) |
Refractive index | n²⁰/D 1.545 (lit.) |
FEMA | 2127 |
Fp (Flash point) | 63 °C (closed cup); ~145 °F |
Storage temp | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep tightly closed, under inert gas, protected from light and air |
Solubility | Miscible with ethanol and diethyl ether; practically insoluble in water |
pKa | 14.90 (at 25 °C) |
Form | Liquid (neat) |
Color | Colorless to pale yellow |
pH Range | 5.9 (1 g/L, H₂O) |
pH | 5.9 (1 g/L, H₂O) |
Odor | Sweet, strong almond (bitter almond) odor |
Explosive limit | 1.4 – 8.5% (v/v) in air |
Biological source | Not applicable (synthetic; the compound occurs naturally in bitter almond, apricot/peach kernels) |
Odor Type | Almond (bitter almond) |
Water Solubility | Slightly soluble; 6.95 g/L (25 °C) |
FreezingPoint | -26 °C |
Sensitive | Air, light and moisture sensitive |
Merck | 14, 1058 |
JECFA Number | 22 |
BRN | 471223 |
Dielectric constant | 17.8 (20 °C) |
Stability | Stable under normal conditions; combustible; incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, reducing agents and steam; air, light and moisture sensitive (readily oxidizes to benzoic acid) |
InChIKey | HUMNYLRZRPPJDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
LogP | 1.48 (log Pow) |
CAS DataBase Reference | 100-52-7 |
NIST Chemistry Reference | Benzaldehyde(100-52-7) |
EPA Substance Registry System | CASRN 100-52-7; DSSTox ID DTXSID8039241 |
Product Applications
Flavorings: The principal flavor component of bitter almond; used in food flavorings, beverages, confectionery and baked goods.
Fragrances: A key intermediate in perfumery for the synthesis of aroma compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, benzyl alcohol and heliotropin.
Pharmaceuticals: Raw material for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and active ingredients (e.g., mandelic acid, ephedrine derivatives).
Agrochemicals: Intermediate in the production of pesticides and herbicides.
Industrial chemicals: Used in the manufacture of dyes, plasticizers, photographic chemicals and other organic synthesis.
