CYCLOPROPYLMETHANOL CAS NO - 2516-33-8

Product Description

Cyclopropylmethanol is an organic compound with a cyclopropyl group attached to a methanol structure Heres a detailed description of the compound

 Chemical Information

 Chemical Name Cyclopropylmethanol  

 Chemical Formula C4H6O  

 Molecular Weight 7009 gmol  

 IUPAC Name Cyclopropylmethanol  

 Structure  

   The compound consists of a cyclopropyl group a threemembered ring with two single bonds and one strained bond attached to a methanol group a CH2OH group which contains a hydroxymethyl group  

   It is a simple alcohol with a unique threemembered ring structure that is known for its reactivity due to the strain in the cyclopropyl ring

 Physical Properties

 Appearance A colorless liquid typically transparent in appearance  

 Boiling Point Approximately 160162C  

 Melting Point 30C approximately  

 Density 098 gcm at 20C  

 Solubility  

   Soluble in water as it contains the hydroxymethyl CH2OH group  

   Soluble in organic solvents like ethanol diethyl ether and chloroform

 Reactivity and Chemistry

 Cyclopropyl Group Reactivity  

   The cyclopropyl group is highly strained which makes it reactive and prone to undergoing ringopening reactions in the presence of nucleophiles or under heat  

   It can undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions and is often used as a reactive intermediate in organic synthesis The strain in the ring makes it susceptible to ringopening reactions especially under basic or acidic conditions

 Hydroxymethyl Group CH2OH  

   The hydroxymethyl group makes the molecule an alcohol and capable of participating in hydrogen bonding interactions  

   It can also undergo oxidation to form formaldehyde if the hydroxymethyl group is oxidized or further functionalization in synthetic reactions

 Reactivity in Organic Synthesis  

   Cyclopropylmethanol is useful in organic chemistry for ringopening reactions and as a precursor to other cyclopropylcontaining compounds  

   It may also serve as a building block for the synthesis of more complex molecules or as an intermediate in the preparation of cyclic compounds

 Applications

1 Organic Synthesis  

    Cyclopropylmethanol is often used as an intermediate in organic synthesis The strained cyclopropyl ring can be opened under various conditions leading to the formation of new carboncarbon bonds  

    It is useful in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals agrochemicals and fine chemicals

2 Pharmacological Interest  

    The cyclopropyl group is known to impart specific steric and electronic effects which may influence the biological activity of compounds that contain it  

    Cyclopropylmethanol itself may not have significant bioactivity but could serve as a precursor to biologically active molecules or compounds used in drug design

3 Industrial Applications  

    In the industrial context cyclopropylmethanol may be involved in the production of flavor compounds fragrances or other specialized chemicals due to its functional group and structure

 Safety and Handling

 Toxicity  

   Cyclopropylmethanol is generally considered to be of low toxicity but like most chemicals it should be handled with care  

   It may cause irritation to the skin eyes and respiratory tract if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin

 Handling and Storage  

   Cyclopropylmethanol should be stored in a cool dry and wellventilated area away from sources of heat or flame  

   Proper personal protective equipment PPE such as gloves and goggles should be used during handling to prevent direct contact

 Synthesis

Cyclopropylmethanol can be synthesized via several methods including

1 Cyclization of Hydroxymethyl Groups  

    It can be prepared from a suitable precursor with a hydroxymethyl group using a cyclization reaction under the right conditions

2 Reduction of Cyclopropylcarbinyl Alcohols  

    Cyclopropylmethanol can also be obtained through the reduction of cyclopropylcarbinyl alcohols in a controlled reaction potentially using reagents like lithium aluminum hydride LiAlH

3 RingOpening of Cyclopropyl Compounds  

    The compound can be synthesized by the ringopening of more complex cyclopropyl compounds often in the presence of a nucleophile such as water or alcohol

 Conclusion

Cyclopropylmethanol is a versatile compound with a unique structure that combines a highly reactive cyclopropyl group with a hydroxymethyl group Its chemical reactivity particularly the ability to undergo ringopening reactions makes it a useful intermediate in organic synthesis It can also be a building block for the design of more complex molecules in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals

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