Benzyl Alcohol Density
Benzyl alcohol is a solution from which many users benefit. Benzyl alcohol has a place in bathroom cabinets, medical offices, research labs, and even in body building circles. Benzyl alcohol is a perfect solution for many problems and uses. Benzyl alcohol density is a feature that determines how and for what benzyl alcohol can be used. As it takes on many forms and varying densities, its uses are far reaching.
What is Benzyl Alcohol?
Benzyl alcohol is an ingredient that occurs both naturally and synthetically. Benzyl alcohol has many chemical names across various industries:
100-51-6
Benzenmethanol
Hydroxytoluene
Phenyl Carbinol
Phenylmethanol
You might see its molecular formula as C6H5CH2OH or C7H8O.
What is Benzyl Alcohol Density
When we talk about benzyl alcohol density, what we are really referring to is the vapor density. Benzyl alcohol is sought after for its purity, low toxicity, its moderate solubility in water, and its low vapor pressure. Vapor density is measured relative to air.
The physical properties of benzyl alcohol are as follows:
Vapor pressure: 0k Pa at 20°C: 13.2
Relative vapor density to air: 3.72
Relative density vapor/air mixture: 1.0
Relative density to water 1.04
Solubility in 100 ml water: 4g; it is more soluble in oil
As you can see, the density and solubility of benzyl alcohol gives it the opportunity for many different uses. When benzyl alcohol is used for medical purposes and injections, it’s the low density and sterilization properties that make it ideal.
What are the Uses of Benzyl Alcohol?
You will likely encounter the synthetic version of benzyl alcohol for everyday and industrial use. It’s easier to use and affordable. Benzyl alcohol is used for:
Antiseptic
Disinfectant
Additive is products such as perfumes and hair dyes
Prescription drug products
As a bacteriostatic preservative
To treat cold sores
To treat head lice in children
In the body building world, adding benzyl alcohol is a method for sanitizing and as an antimicrobial in injections.
Why is Benzyl Alcohol Added to Injections?
The low density and high benefits make benzyl alcohol a useful synthetic for injections. Why? For the reasons I listed above. It is an antiseptic, a disinfectant, and a bacteriostatic preservative. Bacteriostatic means that it is a chemical or biological that prevents bacteria from reproducing, which is obviously desired when injecting a solution or medicine into your body.
When people like body builders want sterile injections without the threat of bacterial infections, they often use a synthol solution. Synthol is the mixture of an oil, benzyl alcohol, and lidocaine. Oil is the most prevalent product, making up about 85% of the mixture. Only 7.5% of the mixture is lidocaine because it is present to provide pain relieving effects only. Finally, just a little bit of benzyl alcohol is added, about 7.5%, to sanitize the solution.
It doesn’t sound like much but the solution provides a temporary enlargement of the targeted muscle. Research shows that synthol solutions with benzyl alcohol provide immediate muscle enlargement. Body builders use the mixture in small muscle groups that are easily visible (Pupka, A. et al). Common injection areas include the deltoids, biceps, calf muscles, and the triceps.