Phenethyl alcohol

Phenethyl alcohol, or 2-phenylethanol, is a natural organic compound that is found in a variety of essential oils, such as rose, carnation, hyacinth, Aleppo pine, orange blossom,ylang-ylang, geranium, neroli, and champaca. It is slightly soluble in water (2 mL/100 mL H2O), but miscible with ethanol and ether.

Phenethyl alcohol is liquid alcohol with a pleasant floral odor. It is therefore a common ingredient in flavors and perfumery, particularly when the smell of rose is desired. It is also used as a preservative in soaps due to its stability in basic conditions. In biology it is of interest due to its antimicrobial properties.