Propan-1-ol

Overview

A primary alcohol linking hydrogen bonding, aldehyde formation and further oxidation.

The terminal hydroxyl group permits oxidation first to propanal and then to propanoic acid. Whether the intermediate is collected or kept with oxidant changes the intended product. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding also helps explain why its boiling behaviour differs from a similar-sized hydrocarbon.

Identifiers

Formula

C3H8O

Functional group

Primary alcohols

Molar mass

60.1 g/mol

Also known as

1-propanol, propanol, Propyl alcohol, n-propanol, n-Propyl alcohol, ethylcarbinol

Properties

Melting Point

-127 °C

Boiling Point

97.2 °C

Relative density (water = 1)

Relative density (water = 1): 0.8 (20 °C)

Water solubility

Miscible with water

Related compounds

• Alcohols

  A primary alcohol linking hydrogen bonding, aldehyde formation and further oxidation.

• Primary alcohols

  A primary alcohol linking hydrogen bonding, aldehyde formation and further oxidation.

Connected reactions

• Partial oxidation: Propan-1-ol → Propanal

  Propan-1-ol is oxidised to propanal.

• Oxidation: Propan-1-ol → Propanoic acid

  Propan-1-ol is oxidised to propanoic acid.

• Reduction: Propanal → Propan-1-ol

  Propanal is reduced to propan-1-ol.

References

1. PubChem Compound Summary: Propan-1-ol (CID 1031)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

   Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

2. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Oxidation of alcoholsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

   Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.

3. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Properties of alcohols and phenolsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

   Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.

4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Propan-1-ol — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1031#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 1348

5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Propan-1-ol — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1031#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 1348

6. ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Propan-1-ol — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1031#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.

7. ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Propan-1-ol — solubilityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1031#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.