2-Methyl-2-pentanol explained

2-Methyl-2-pentanol (IUPAC name: 2-methylpentan-2-ol) is an organic chemical compound. It can be added to a gas chromatograph to help distinguish between branched compounds, especially alcohols.^[1] Its presence in urine can be used to test for exposure to 2-methylpentane.^[2] As with many other short-chain alcohols, 2-methyl-2-pentanol can produce intoxication and sedative effects similar to those of ethanol, though it is more irritating to mucous membranes and generally more toxic to the body.^[3]

See also

• 2-Methyl-2-butanol
• 3-Methyl-3-pentanol

Notes and References

1. Book: Guiochon G, Guillemin CL . 1988 . Quantitative gas chromatography: for laboratory analyses and on-line process control . Elsevier . 978-0-444-42857-8 . 518 . 2010-01-22 .
2. Book: Lauwerys RR, Hoet P . 2001 . Industrial chemical exposure: guidelines for biological monitoring . CRC Press . 978-1-56670-545-5 . 190 . 2010-01-22 .
3. Book: Morrow AL, Montpied P, Paul SM . Ethanol and the GABA A receptor-gated chloride ion channel. . Neuropharmacology of Ethanol . 1991 . 49–76 . Birkhäuser . Boston, MA. . 10.1007/978-1-4757-1305-3_3 . 978-1-4757-1307-7 .