Quick Search
2-Phenoxyethanol is the organic compound with the formula C6H5OC2H4OH.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a colorless oily liquid.
2-Phenoxyethanol can be classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether.
CAS: 122-99-6
MF: C8H10O2
MW: 138.16
EINECS: 204-589-7
Synonyms:
Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether Phenyl Cellosolve Phenyl Glycol;ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOPHENYL ETHER FOR SYN;(2-Hydroxyethoxy)benzene;Protectol PE;ACETONITRILE ACS GRADE;beta-Phenoxyethanol;beta-phenoxyethanol[qr];beta-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
2-Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative in vaccine formulations.
2-Phenoxyethanol has a faint rose-like aroma.
2-phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether that is phenol substituted on oxygen by a 2-hydroxyethyl group.
2-Phenoxyethanol has a role as an antiinfective agent and a central nervous system depressant.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a primary alcohol, a glycol ether and an aromatic ether.
2-Phenoxyethanol is functionally related to a phenol.
Phenoxyethanol is a sticky and oily substance that is generally used in cosmetic and skincare products as a preservative.
2-Phenoxyethanol is known as glycol ether in chemical terms and is also a solvent that stabilizes various ingredients because it does not react with light or air.
The chemical formula of 2-Phenoxyethanol is C8H10O2.
2-Phenoxyethanol increases the shelf life of products that may otherwise spoil too quickly by developing a bacterial or fungal layer on them.
What makes 2-Phenoxyethanol a really popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry is its faint rose-like smell that is very pleasant.
From sunscreens and shampoos to mascara and hair sprays - 2-Phenoxyethanol is found in almost every product.
2-Phenoxyethanol has germicidal and germistatic properties.
2-Phenoxyethanol is often used together with quaternary ammonium compounds.
In the cosmetic industry, a common and effective synergistic strategy is to combine phenoxyethanol with ethylhexylglycerin (9:1).
This pairing broadens the antimicrobial spectrum, while allowing each component to be used at lower concentrations.
2-Phenoxyethanol is used as a perfume fixative; an insect repellent; an antiseptic; a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks, and resins; a preservative for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants; an anesthetic in fish aquaculture; and in organic synthesis.
2-Phenoxyethanol is an alternative to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
In Japan and the European Union, 2-Phenoxyethanol's concentration in cosmetics is restricted to 1%.
History and synthesis
2-Phenoxyethanol was first prepared by W. H. Perkin Jr. and his graduate student Edward Haworth in 1896.
They reacted sodium, phenol and 2-chloroethanol in anhydrous ethanol.
Starting from the 1920s, 2-Phenoxyethanol has been commercially available as a cellulose acetate solvent under the trademark of "Phenyl cellosolve".
2-Phenoxyethanolis produced in the industry by the hydroxyethylation of phenol (Williamson synthesis), for example, in the presence of alkali-metal hydroxides or alkali-metal borohydrides.
2-Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a colorless oily liquid.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds).
2-Phenoxyethanol is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid with a faint pleasant odor and burning taste.
Characteristics
2-Phenoxyethanol is a tried-and-tested preservative, which is welltolerated by the skin and has a low allergy risk.
2-Phenoxyethanol can be used over a wide pH range.
This means that other preservatives can lose their effectiveness if the product is not within the right pH range.
2-Phenoxyethanol does not smell unpleasant or change the color of the product, which can be the case when using natural antimicrobial substances.
2-Phenoxyethanol Chemical Properties
Melting point: 11-13 °C (lit.)
Boiling point: 247 °C (lit.)
density: 1.102 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
vapor density: 4.8 (vs air)
vapor pressure: 0.01 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
refractive index: n20/D 1.539
FEMA: 4620 | 2-PHENOXYETHANOL
Fp: >230 °F
storage temp.: Store below +30°C.
solubility: soluble, clear, colorless to very faintly yellow
pka: 14.36±0.10(Predicted)
form: Liquid
color: Clear colorless
Specific Gravity: 1.109 (20/4℃)
Odor: Faint aromatic odor
PH Range: 7 at 10 g/l at 23 °C
PH: 7 (10g/l, H2O, 23℃)
explosive limit: 1.4-9.0%(V)
Odor Type: floral
Water Solubility: 30 g/L (20 ºC)
Thermal Conductivity: 0.168 W/(m·K) at 25 ℃
Merck: 14,7257
BRN: 1364011
Henry's Law Constant: 2.1×102 mol/(m3Pa) at 25℃, Duchowicz et al. (2020)
Major Application: environmental
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: ANTIMICROBIAL
PRESERVATIVE
InChI: 1S/C8H10O2/c9-6-7-10-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7H2
InChIKey: QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP: 1.2 at 23℃
CAS DataBase Reference: 122-99-6(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: 2-Phenoxyethanol(122-99-6)
EPA Substance Registry System: 2-Phenoxyethanol (122-99-6)
Uses
2-Phenoxyethanol at a 1.0% level acts as a preservative in personal care products.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in consumer and health care products, including vaccines, pen inks, ear drops, shampoos, skin cleansers, moisturizers, sun care products, and topical medicaments.
The preservative Euxyl-K 400 also contains 2-phenoxyethanol, in combination with methyldibromoglutaronitrile.
2-Phenoxyethanol is commonly used in cosmetics for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
2-Phenoxyethanol is increasingly being used in vaccines as a substitute for thiomersal and is also a component of pen inks and, more rarely, ear drops.
Reactions to 2-Phenoxyethanol have rarely been reported.
Three cases of CoU induced by phenoxyethanol in cosmetics have been reported.
2-Phenoxyethanol is used as a single agent and in combination with other preservatives such as 2-Phenoxyethanol and parabens, or in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds.
The possibility of immunological IgE-mediated reaction could not be confirmed because specific IgE against 2-phenoxyethanol was negative.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a broad-range preservative with fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, and germicidal properties.
2-Phenoxyethanol has a relatively low sensitizing factor in leave-on cosmetics.
2-Phenoxyethanol can be used in concentrations of 0.5 to 2.0 percent, and in combination with other preservatives such as sorbic acid or parabens.
In addition, 2-Phenoxyethanol is used as a solvent for aftershaves, face and hair lotions, shampoos, and skin creams of all types.
2-Phenoxyethanol can be obtained from phenol.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a sticky and oily substance that is generally used in cosmetic and skincare products as a preservative.
2-Phenoxyethanol is known as glycol ether in chemical terms and is also a solvent that stabilizes various ingredients because it does not react with light or air.
The chemical formula of 2-Phenoxyethanol is C8H10O2.
2-Phenoxyethanol increases the shelf life of products that may otherwise spoil too quickly by developing a bacterial or fungal layer on them.
What makes 2-Phenoxyethanol a really popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry is its faint rose-like smell that is very pleasant.
From sunscreens and shampoos to mascara and hair sprays - 2-Phenoxyethanol is found in almost every product.
Pharmaceutical Applications
2-Phenoxyethanol is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations at a concentration of 0.5–1.0%; it may also be used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent for vaccines.
Therapeutically, a 2.2% solution or 2.0% cream has been used as a disinfectant for superficial wounds, burns, and minor infections of the skin and mucous membranes.
2-Phenoxyethanol has a narrow spectrum of activity and is thus frequently used in combination with other preservatives.
Industrial uses
2-Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations at a maximum concentration of 1.0%.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a broad spectrum preservative which has excellent activity against a wide range of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, yeast and mould.
2-Phenoxyethanol is also used as a solvent and, because of its properties as a solvent, it is used in many blends and mixtures with other preservatives.
2-Phenoxyethanol is not registered as a food additive in the EU.
Scognamiglio et al. (ref. 105) reported that 2-phenoxyethanol is a fragrance ingredient used in many fragrance mixtures (see discussion).
An ester of 2-Phenoxyethanol, 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate and 2-Phenoxyacetic acid, the main metabolite of 2-Phenoxyethanol, were mentioned in a WHO publication where 43 flavouring agents in food were evaluated (WHO 2003, AR4), however at intakes assessed to be very low in Europe (around 1 µg/kg bw/day).
