Octanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a penetrating aromatic odor. Insoluble in water and floats on water. Vapors heavier than air. Vapors may irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system.Octan-1-ol is an octanol carrying the hydroxy group at position 1. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is an octanol and a primary alcohol.

It is mainly used in the production of plasticizers, extractants and stabilizers, and as an intermediate for solvents and fragrances.In the plasticizer industry, octanol generally refers to 2-ethylhexanol, a bulk raw material with a production scale of millions of tons, which is industrially far more valuable than n-octanol.Octanol itself is also used as a flavor and fragrance agent for blending floral essences such as rose and lily, and as a soap fragrance.This product is a permitted edible flavor specified in China's GB 2760-86.It is mainly used to formulate coconut, pineapple, peach, chocolate and citrus flavors.