Product Description
Product Information of Menthol in Detail
-
Basic Information
- Chemical Name: 2 - Isopropyl - 5 - methylcyclohexanol
- Chemical Formula: C10H20O
- Molecular Weight: 156.27
- CAS Number: 1490 - 04 - 6
- Alias: Methyl - hydroxy - isopropyl - cyclohexane; Menthomenthol; Hexahydrothymol; Menthacamphor; Menthol crystals
-
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Usually colorless, needle - like crystals or granular.
- Odor: It has a strong minty aroma and a unique cooling odor, which is one of its important characteristics.
- Solubility: It is easily soluble in ethanol, chloroform, ether, glacial acetic acid, liquid paraffin, petroleum ether and animal and vegetable oils, and slightly soluble in water.
- Melting Point: The melting point of L - menthol is 44 °C, and that of racemic menthol is 38 °C.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of L - menthol is 216.4 °C, and that of racemic menthol is 216 °C.
-
Chemical Properties
- Stability: The chemical properties are relatively stable, but it may undergo chemical reactions under conditions such as high temperature, strong acid, and strong alkali.
- Oxidizability: It has a certain degree of oxidizability and can react with some reducing agents.
- Acidity and Basicity: It is weakly acidic and can undergo a neutralization reaction with bases.
-
Isomers
- There are 8 isomers of menthol, and their flavor - presenting properties are different. Among them, L - menthol has a minty aroma and a cooling effect, racemic menthol also has a cooling effect, and the other isomers have no cooling effect.
-
Production Methods
- Natural Extraction Method: It is extracted from the essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the above - ground parts (stems, branches, leaves and inflorescences) of the Labiatae plant Mentha haplocalyx. The oil yield is 0.5 - 0.6%.
- Synthesis Method: For example, it can be produced from citronellal. Utilizing the property that citronellal is easy to cyclize into isopulegol, the right - handed citronellal is cyclized into left - handed isopulegol with an acid catalyst. After separating the left - handed isopulegol, it is hydrogenated to produce left - handed menthol. It can also be produced from thymol. After catalytic hydrogenation, all four pairs of menthol stereoisomers are obtained. Then, through steps such as distillation, esterification, recrystallization, isomer separation and optical resolution, menthol is obtained.
-
Uses
- Food Industry: It can be used as a flavoring agent for toothpaste, chewing gum, beverages, candies, etc. Adding an appropriate amount of menthol to food can give the product a cool taste and a unique flavor.
- Cosmetics Field: When added to cosmetics such as toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and skin - care products, it can bring a cool feeling to users and has a certain antibacterial and anti - inflammatory effect.
- Medical Field: In medicine, it is used as a stimulant. When it acts on the skin or mucous membrane, it has a cooling and antipruritic effect. Taken orally, it can be used for headache and inflammation of the nose, pharynx and larynx. Menthol is often contained in common cold medicines, painkillers, oral - care products and other drugs.
-
Safety
- General Safety: Under normal usage conditions, menthol is relatively safe. However, if it is ingested or used in excess, it may cause some adverse reactions such as skin allergies, nausea and vomiting.
- Special Populations: For special populations such as infants, pregnant women and lactating women, caution should be exercised when using products containing menthol. It is best to use them under the guidance of a doctor or a professional.
-
Storage Conditions
- It should be stored in a well - ventilated and dry environment, and the bottle cap should be sealed to prevent moisture. It is strictly prohibited to store it together with acids, inflammables, reducing agents, etc.
Company Profile
Our Advantages
){kind=link}