Benzyl acetate

Synonyms

Acetic acid, benzyl ester; Acetic acid, phenylmethyl ester; alpha-Acetoxytoluene; Benzyl acetate (natural); Benzyl ethanoate; Benzylester kyseliny octove [Czech]; Phenylmethyl acetate; Phenylmethyl ethanoate; [ChemIDplus] Acetoxymethylbenzene; [CHEMINFO] (Acetoxymethyl)benzene; [CAMEO] Benteine; [IUCLID]

Category

Esters (<C12)

Description

Colorless liquid with an odor of jasmine or pears; [CHEMINFO]

Sources/Uses

Used as a fragrance, flavoring agent, and solvent; Also used in inks, varnish removers, oils, lacquers, and polishes; [CHEMINFO] Found in many plants, especially jasmine; [Merck Index] Used as a flavoring agent; [FDA]

Comments

Causes respiratory tract irritation in the range of 50-160 ppm; [CHEMINFO] Has anesthetic effects at high concentrations in animal studies; [ChemIDplus] Included in list of "fragrance substances with negative human data, i.e. patch tests of patients with suspected contact allergy to fragrance ingredients which yielded negative results."; [EC: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2011)] An irritant; May cause smarting and reddening of skin if spilled and allowed to remain on clothes; [CHRIS] Vapor causes eye and respiratory tract irritation; May cause effects on the CNS and kidneys; [ICSC] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; Acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0-5 mg/kg; [JECFA] A skin and strong eye irritant; May cause CNS depression; Targets nerves and kidney; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

10 ppm

0.177 mm Hg

LC50 (cat) = 245 ppm/8hr

Explanatory Notes

VP from ChemIDplus;

must be preheated

Acute solvent syndrome

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)