Benzyl Alcohol

Overview

Benzyl alcohol (C7H8O) is a simple aromatic alcohol used across the peptide workflow as an antimicrobial preservative and mild co-solvent. Its best-known role is as the 0.9% preservative in Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, where it suppresses microbial growth and lets a reconstituted vial be drawn from repeatedly over a working period rather than discarded after first use. It also serves occasionally as a small-fraction co-solvent to help bring poorly-soluble small molecules into aqueous vehicles. PeptideXpo supplies pharmaceutical-grade benzyl alcohol as a clear liquid for laboratory reconstitution and formulation work. It is not appropriate for every peptide: benzyl alcohol can interact with certain sequences, and preservative-free sterile water remains the correct diluent whenever a single-use preparation is required. Supplied in 3 mL and 10 mL fills as a research and compounding reagent, not for human or veterinary use.

Who buys this, and why

Custom-blend buyers are almost always OEM clients building a branded product around a specific ratio of two or more peptides. The development workflow is collaborative: ratio target, analytical method to verify it, stability protocol in the chosen carrier, and packaging selection are all defined in the OEM brief before the first commercial run. Sample-stage volumes are usually 5-10 g of finished blend; commercial MOQ depends on the components.

Primary buyer fit: academic and contract research laboratories.

Specifications

CAS

100-51-6

Molecular Formula

C7H8O

Molecular Weight

108.14 g/mol

Appearance

Clear, colorless liquid

Purity (HPLC)

≥ 99%

Strength

3 ml – 10 ml

Packaging

10 vials/box · base pack (multiples of 10)

Half-life

≈ 6 hours

MOQ

On request

Lead time

7–14 days

Storage

Room temperature, protect from light

Documentation available on request

• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Ratio-verification HPLC
• Mass-spec identity of each component
• Stability of the blend (matrix-specific)
• Bacterial endotoxin (LAL, USP <85>)
• Sterile-fill documentation (where applicable)
• SDS / MSDS
• Private-label / OEM specification sheet

Regulatory note

Supplied as a research / compounding reagent; not for human or veterinary use. Preservative selection is the buyer's responsibility against the destination workflow.

Selected literature

1. Gershanik J, Boecler B, Ensley H, McCloskey S, George W. The gasping syndrome and benzyl alcohol poisoning. N Engl J Med. 1982;307(22):1384-1388.
2. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Neonatal deaths associated with use of benzyl alcohol -- United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1982;31(22):290-291.
3. Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate. Int J Toxicol. 2017;36(3_suppl):5S-30S.
4. Nair B. Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate. Int J Toxicol. 2001;20(Suppl 3):23-50.
5. Williams JM, Howe NR. Benzyl alcohol attenuates the pain of lidocaine injections and prolongs anesthesia. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1994;20(11):730-733.

Frequently asked questions