Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol
IUPAC name

2-Phenoxy-1-ethanol
Other names

Phenoxyethanol
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
Phenoxytolarosol
Dowanol EP / EPH
Emery 6705
Rose ether
1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
β-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Phenyl cellosolve
Identifiers
CAS number 122-99-6 Y
ChemSpider 13848467 Y
UNII HIE492ZZ3T Y
ChEMBL CHEMBL1229846 N
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C8H10O2
Molar mass 138.16 g/mol
Appearance colourless oily liquid
Density 1.102 g/cm3
Melting point

11 - 13 °C
Boiling point

247 °C
Hazards
Flash point 113 °C (closed cup)
 N (verify) (what is: Y/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen. It is a colorless oily liquid. It is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds), often used in place of sodium azide in biological buffers as 2-phenoxyethanol is less toxic and non-reactive with copper and lead. It is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.

Contents

Application

It is also used as a fixative for perfumes, an insect repellent, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, some dyes, inks, and resins, in preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis. It is moderately soluble in water. It is used as an anesthetic in the aquaculture of some fish.[1][2]

It is also listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines by the Center for Disease Control.[3] In Japan its usage level in cosmetic products is regulated.[4]

Efficacy

The activity of the preservative phenoxyethanol was effective in inactivating challenge doses of gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, as well as a yeast.[5]

Safety

Phenoxyethanol is an excellent alternative to the standard, potentially harmful formaldehyde-releasing preservative.[6]

References

  1. ^ H. Tsantilasa, A.D. Galatosa, F. Athanassopouloub, N.N. Prassinosa and K. Kousoulaki Efficacy of 2-phenoxyethanol as an anaesthetic for two size classes of white sea bream, Diplodus sargus L., and sharp snout sea bream, Diplodus puntazzo C. Aquaculture, 2006, Vol. 253, 1-4, pp. 64-70
  2. ^ Mylonas C., Cardilanetti G., Sigelaki I., Polzonetti-Magni A., Comparative efficacy of clove oil and 2-phenoxyethanol as anesthetics in the aquaculture of european sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) at different temperatures. Aquaculture, 2005, vol. 246, 1-4, pp. 467-481
  3. ^ CDC excipient table
  4. ^ Tokunaga, H; Takeuchi, O; Ko, R; Uchino, T; Ando, M (2003). "Studies for analyzing phenoxyethanol and parabens in commercial lotions" (Free full text). Kokuritsu Iyakuhin Shokuhin Eisei Kenkyujo hokoku = Bulletin of National Institute of Health Sciences (121): 25–9. ISSN 1343-4292. PMID 14740401. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@rn+122-99-6.  edit
  5. ^ Lowe I, Southern J (1994). "The antimicrobial activity of phenoxyethanol in vaccines". Lett Appl Microbiol 18 (2): 115–6. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.1994.tb00820.x. PMID 7764595. 
  6. ^ Wineski LE, English AW (1989). "Phenoxyethanol as a nontoxic preservative in the dissection laboratory". Acta Anat (Basel) 136 (2): 155–8. doi:10.1159/000146816. PMID 2816264. 

External links