Allyl alcohol

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Allyl alcohol
IUPAC name
Other names
Allyl alcohol
Vinyl carbinol
Molar mass 58.08 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Mustard-like
Density 0.854 g/cm3 (25 °C)
Melting point −129 °C (−200 °F; 144 K)
Boiling point 97 °C (207 °F; 370 K)
Solubility Misicible with acetone, benzene, chloroform, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, isopropanol, DMSO, petroleum ether, toluene
Vapor pressure 23.8 mmHg (25 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 15.5 (H2O)
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point 21 °C (70 °F; 294 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
64 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Infobox references

Allyl alcohol or prop-2-en-1-ol is an organic compound with the structural formula CH2=CHCH2OH. Allyl alcohol is the smallest representative of the allylic alcohols



Epoxidation of allyl alcohol yields glycidol.

Allyl alcohol will isomerize into ketone by the action of the Grubbs reagent.

Strong oxidizers, like peroxides may cause polymerization of allyl alcohol.


Allyl alcohol is a colorless liquid, with a mustard-like odor. It is miscible with water and organic solvents.


Allyl alcohol is sold by lab suppliers, but it's difficult to acquire as it's quite toxic.



Allyl alcohol can be obtained by heating glycerol with oxalic acid at high temperatures (around 220-240 °C). Ammonium chloride may also be added as catalyst. The first product of this reaction is formic acid (this is a convenient route to obtain formic acid). After no more formic acid is produced, at temperatures between 220-225 °C, an equal amount of allyl alcohol and allyl formate distills over. The distillate was treated with sodium or potassium hydroxide to hydrolyze the formate and destroy any traces of acrolein produced, allowed to stand for 12h at room temp and finally distilled. The first distillate contains all the allyl alcohol, in the form of allyl alcohol/water azeotropic mixture (b.p. 87-88 °C) which may be dehydrated using anhydrous potassium carbonate to obtain anhydrous allyl alcohol.[1]

Alternatively, glycerol can be distilled with formic acid alone, and the purification process is similar to that above.[2][3]

Allyl alcohol can also be made by the rearrangement of propylene oxide, a reaction that is catalyzed by potassium alum at high temperature.


  • Make glycidol
  • Make allyl halide



Allyl alcohol is more toxic than related simple alcohols. Its threshold limit value (TLV) is 2 ppm. It is also a lachrymator.

When handling this compound, it's advised to use butyl rubber gloves, as they provide the best protection.


Allyl alcohol should be kept in airtight bottles, with a clear hazard label, in dark well ventilated places.


Allyl alcohol should be diluted with a flammable solvent, like ethanol or acetone and burned in an incinerator, kiln, outside or in a special fumehood.



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