3-Methyl-3-octanol (systematically named 3-methyloctan-3-ol) is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)4C(CH3)(CH2CH3)OH (also written as C
9
H
20
O
). This simple tertiary alcohol is a clear colourless liquid under standard conditions, and is tasteless.

3-Methyl-3-octanol[1]
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3-Methyloctan-3-ol
Other names
Amylethylmethylcarbinol
2-Ethyl-2-heptanol
3-Methyloctan-3-ol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.023.888 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C9H20O/c1-4-6-7-8-9(3,10)5-2/h10H,4-8H2,1-3H3 checkY
    Key: JEWXYDDSLPIBBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1S/C9H20O/c1-4-6-7-8-9(3,10)5-2/h10H,4-8H2,1-3H3
    Key: JEWXYDDSLPIBBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/C9H20O/c1-4-6-7-8-9(3,10)5-2/h10H,4-8H2,1-3H3
    Key: JEWXYDDSLPIBBO-UHFFFAOYAT
  • CCCCCC(C)(CC)O
  • OC(CC)(CCCCC)C
Properties[2]
C9H20O
Molar mass 144.2545 g/mol
Density 0.822 g/mL
Boiling point 127 °C (261 °F; 400 K)
Hazards
Flash point 73 °C (163 °F; 346 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

It is used in the food industry as a flavouring agent as it contributes to the flavour of roast beef.[3] It is known to be biochemically produced by the Antrodia camphorata fungus. 3-Methyl-3-octanol is a chiral compound, with each isomer yielding a different flavour.

References

edit
  1. ^ Methyl n-amyl ketone, PubChem Database (NCBI/NIH)
  2. ^ 3-Methyl-3-Octanol, Sigma-Aldrich
  3. ^ Hsu, Chen-Ming; Peterson, Robert J.; Jin, Qi Zhang; Ho, Chi-Tang; Chang, Stephen S. (1 November 1982). "Characterization of new volatile compounds in the neutral fraction of roasted beef flavor". Journal of Food Science. 47 (6): 2068–2069. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1982.tb12950.x.