Usage

Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative in ointments, a desiccant for fibers, nylon filaments, and plastic films, a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride, a photographic developer, and a solvent for cellulose acetate, inks, coatings, paints, epoxy resin coatings, dyes, casein, shellac, and gelatin. It is also an intermediate in the production of benzyl esters or ethers. In chemical books, it is used to produce fragrances and flavorings (mostly benzyl alcohol esters of fatty acids) as additives in soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and other products. Because it has almost the same refractive index as quartz and wool fibers, it is used as an identification agent for these fibers. In the fragrance industry, it is used as a fixative and diluent.