tetradecanol

Occurrence

Found in spermaceti wax and sperm oil (Givaudan Index, 1961).

Preparation

By reduction of the fatty acid ester by LiAlH₄ .

Toxicity evaluation

The acute oral LD₅₀ value in rats was reported as > 5 g/kg(Levenstein, 1974) , and the acute oral LD₅₀ of mixed isomers of tetradecanol as 32.5 ml/kg in rats (Smyth, Carpenter, Weil, Pozzani, Striegel & Nycum, 1969).The acute dermal LD₅₀ value in rabbits was reported as > 5 g/kg by Levenstein (1974) and as 7.13 ml/kg by Smyth et al (1969).

Safety Profile

Mildly toxic by ingestion and skin contact. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react with oxidning materials. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Metabolism

Tetradecanol supported the growth of Pseudomonas C12B in minimal media (Williams, May berry & Payne, 1966). In the oxidation of tetradecanol by Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures, tetradecanol was accumulated as the semicarbazone, supporting the possibility of production of an intermediate aldehyde (Büning-Pfaue & Rehm, 1972).

Raw materials

Preparation Products