Which alcohol is used to dissolve paraffin wax?

Amyl alcohol, also known as pentanol, is effective for dissolving paraffin wax due to its appropriate solvent properties. Paraffin wax is typically used in histology for embedding tissue samples, and adequate removal of the wax is critical for proper staining and analysis. Amyl alcohol's molecular structure allows it to interact effectively with the wax, breaking it down and facilitating the removal process in tissue preparation.

In contrast, the other alcohols listed may not possess the same efficacy or appropriateness for this specific task. Ethyl alcohol is often used for dehydration and fixation but does not dissolve paraffin as effectively as amyl alcohol. Methyl alcohol (methanol) is similarly more suited for fixation rather than dissolving wax, and isopropyl alcohol, while a useful dehydrating agent, also lacks the specific solvent characteristics needed to dissolve paraffin wax effectively. Thus, amyl alcohol is the most suitable choice for this histological application.