Octyl Alcohol

Biochemistry, Chemistry & Physics

Also known as: Octanol

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

An overview of octyl alcohol from the 1930s Soviet Medical Encyclopedia, detailing its primary and secondary forms, chemical properties, and use in preventing liquid foaming.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

OCTYL ALCOHOL, C8H18O: primary — CH3(CH2)6CH2OH, specific gravity 0.838, melting point 17.5°, boiling point 195.5°, a colorless, strongly odorous liquid found in the oil of the fruit of Heracleum spondylium; secondary, CH3(CH2)5CH(OH)CH3, has a boiling point of 179.5°, specific gravity 0.823 (16°); [α]17 = + 9.87°. Octyl alcohol is used to prevent the foaming of liquids (see Van Slyke methods).

Mentioned in

Cite this page

“Octyl Alcohol.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/octyl-alcohol/