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2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether (Phenoxyethanol) is an organic compound that consists of a phenyl group attached to an ethoxy group (-CH2CH2OH) and is commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products.
CAS Number: 122-99-6
Synonyms:
Phenoxyethanol,Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether,2-Phenoxyethanol,Ethylene glycol phenyl ether,Phenyl ethylene glycol
Introduction
Overview: Introduce Phenoxyethanol (2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether) as a colorless, aromatic liquid and explain its structure and basic chemical characteristics.
Provide a historical background of its discovery and development as a chemical compound, including how it came to be used in various industries.
Applications: Outline its role in personal care products (cosmetics, skincare), its increasing use in the pharmaceutical and food industries, and other applications in industrial settings.
Importance: Discuss why Phenoxyethanol has become a commonly used ingredient in multiple formulations and its advantages in those contexts.
Chemical Properties
Molecular Structure: Present the detailed molecular structure of Phenoxyethanol.
Explain the bonding, functional groups, and the significance of the hydroxyl and ether groups in its chemical behavior.
Chemical Formula: Provide the chemical formula (C8H10O2) and elaborate on what this indicates regarding its atomic composition and molecular weight.
Physical Properties: Discuss the boiling point, melting point, density, solubility in various solvents (water, alcohol, oils), vapor pressure, refractive index, and stability under different conditions (temperature, light, pH).
Mechanisms of Action: Explain how Phenoxyethanol works in various applications—such as its antimicrobial properties, its role as a preservative, and its ability to penetrate skin when used in cosmetic formulations.
Production Methods
Synthesis Routes: Detailed discussion of the chemical synthesis of Phenoxyethanol, including the common methods (such as reaction of phenol with ethylene oxide or hydroxyethylation of phenol).
Raw Materials and Reagents: Identify the primary raw materials (e.g., phenol, ethylene oxide) and the catalysts or conditions required for the synthesis.
Industrial Production: Provide insights into large-scale industrial production processes, including scale-up techniques, economic factors, and the importance of maintaining high purity in the final product.
Applications
Cosmetic Industry: Discuss the widespread use of Phenoxyethanol as a preservative in cosmetic formulations, its benefits in extending the shelf life of products, and its use as an antimicrobial agent.
Pharmaceutical Applications: Explore its role as a stabilizer and preservative in injectable drugs, vaccines, and topical treatments. Mention its importance in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in the preservation of multi-dose vials.
Food Industry: Investigate its usage as a preservative in food products, including any regulatory limitations and its safety profile in food-grade applications.
Industrial Applications: Discuss its use as a solvent, additive in coatings, and other industrial formulations. Provide examples of industries that use it (e.g., paints, cleaning agents).
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits: Elaborate on the key benefits of Phenoxyethanol, including its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, safety in formulations, low volatility, and stability under varying pH conditions.
Drawbacks: Discuss potential side effects or limitations such as skin irritation, sensitization in sensitive individuals, regulatory restrictions (e.g., maximum allowable concentration), and environmental concerns.
Environmental Impact
Environmental Persistence: Discuss how Phenoxyethanol degrades in the environment, its biodegradability, and its potential environmental risks.
Ecotoxicity: Explore its impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, examining studies on its toxicity to fish, plants, and other organisms in water bodies.
Waste Management: Address methods of disposal and recommendations for reducing its environmental footprint.
Include a discussion on current waste management practices for chemical compounds like Phenoxyethanol.
Regulations and Standards
Global Regulations: Provide an overview of the regulatory status of Phenoxyethanol around the world.
This includes regulations in the European Union (EU), United States (FDA), Canada, Japan, and other countries.
Safety Standards: Discuss concentration limits for various products (cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food).
Mention standards established by organizations like the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR).
Labeling and Certification: Explain any certification processes, including cruelty-free or eco-friendly certifications, and how Phenoxyethanol is viewed in the context of these certifications.
Alternative Agents
Comparisons with Other Preservatives: Explore alternatives to Phenoxyethanol in various applications, such as ethylhexylglycerin, parabens, and benzyl alcohol.
Discuss how Phenoxyethanol compares in terms of efficacy, safety, and consumer preference.
Why Phenoxyethanol is Preferred: Provide reasons why Phenoxyethanol might be selected over other agents, focusing on factors such as antimicrobial spectrum, skin compatibility, and regulatory approval.
Future Trends
Research Directions: Discuss ongoing studies into improving the efficacy and safety of Phenoxyethanol in formulations, including potential alternatives or modifications.
Innovation in Usage: Explore how emerging technologies and consumer demand are influencing the development of new applications for Phenoxyethanol.
Sustainability: Investigate trends toward more sustainable production processes, reducing the environmental impact of Phenoxyethanol, and incorporating renewable resources into its production.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT 2-HYDROXYETHYL PHENYL ETHER (PHENOXYETHANOL)
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
