Question

Which is used as a cheap perfume?
A.Aniline
B.Ethyl alcohol
C.Acetone
D.Nitrobenzene

Answer 1

Hint: The majority of perfumes an ethyl alcohol base, which is also known as ethanol or pure alcohol, ethyl alcohol evaporates quickly. Ethanol is the main carrier for the fragrance oils. It evaporates quickly as it is warmed by skin temperature releasing the fragrances evenly over the surface.

Complete step by step answer:
Aniline is a yellowish to brownish oily liquid with a musty fishy odour. It is slightly soluble in water and mixes readily with most organic solvents. It does not readily evaporate at room temperature; thus, it is not used to make perfumes. Aniline is used to make a different kind of products like agricultural chemicals, synthetic dyes, antioxidants, herbicides, varnishes and explosives.
Ethanol, which is also known as ethyl alcohol or 1-hydroxyethane, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as primary alcohols. It is a colourless liquid with a pungent smell. The majority of perfumes sold in contain an ethyl alcohol base because ethyl alcohol evaporates quickly. It is used in perfume mainly because it acts as a carrier for a perfume compound but it also dissolves quickly on the skin.
Acetone is a colourless, volatile and flammable organic solvent with a sweetish odour. Acetone occurs naturally in plants, trees, forest fires. This agent is also normally present in very small quantities in urine and blood; larger amounts may be found in the urine and blood of diabetics. Acetone can be toxic in high doses.
Nitrobenzene is a yellowish, oily, aromatic nitro-compound with an almond-like odour. It is mainly used in the manufacture of aniline, but is also used in the manufacture of lubricating oils, dyes, drugs, pesticides, and synthetic rubber. It is also used to produce lubricating oils used in motors and machinery.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Primary alcohols are compounds which comprises the primary alcohol functional group, with the general structure RCOH (R=alkyl, aryl). Some organic perfumes use a denatured alcohol in place of ethyl alcohol due to concerns about the safety of ethanol-based products. but still it is the main ingredient of perfume.