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Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen.
Phenoxyethanol is a colorless oily liquid.
Phenoxyethanol is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds).
CAS: 122-99-6
MF: C8H10O2
MW: 138.16
EINECS: 204-589-7
Phenoxyethanol is the organic compound with the formula C6H5OC2H4OH.
Phenoxyethanol is a colorless oily liquid.
Phenoxyethanol can be classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether.
Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative in vaccine formulations.
Phenoxyethanol is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
Phenoxyethanol is a tried-and-tested preservative, which is welltolerated by the skin and has a low allergy risk.
Phenoxyethanol can be used over a wide pH range.
This means that other preservatives can lose their effectiveness if Phenoxyethanol is not within the right pH range.
Phenoxyethanol does not smell unpleasant or change the color of the product, which can be the case when using natural antimicrobial substances.
Phenoxyethanol is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid with a faint pleasant odor and burning taste.
Phenoxyethanol is prepared by treating phenol with ethylene oxide in an alkaline medium.
Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact.
A skin and severe eye irritant.
Mutation data reported.
Some glycol ethers have dangerous human reproductive effects.
Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
When heated to decomposition Phenoxyethanol emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
To fight fEe, use CO2, dry chemical.
Phenoxyethanol used as a solvent for ester-type resins.
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
Form: Liquid
pka: 14.36±0.10(Predicted)
Specific Gravity: 1.109 (20/4℃)
Color: Clear colorless
PH: 7 (10g/l, H2O, 23℃)
Odor: Faint aromatic odor
PH Range: 7 at 10 g/l at 23 °C
explosive limit: 1.4-9.0%(V)
Water Solubility: 30 g/L (20 ºC)
Merck: 14,7257
BRN: 1364011
InChIKey: QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP: 1.2 at 23℃
CAS DataBase Reference: 122-99-6(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: Phenoxyethanol (122-99-6)
EPA Substance Registry System: Phenoxyethanol (122-99-6)
Uses
Phenoxyethanol is a broad-range preservative with fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, and germicidal properties.
Phenoxyethanol has a relatively low sensitizing factor in leave-on cosmetics.
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, Phenoxyethanol is used as a solvent for aftershaves, face and hair lotions, shampoos, and skin creams of all types.
Phenoxyethanol can be obtained from phenol.
Ethylene glycol phenyl ether at a 1.0% level acts as a preservative in personal care products.
Phenoxyethanol has germicidal and germistatic properties.
Phenoxyethanol is often used together with quaternary ammonium compounds.
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.
Phenoxyethanol is an alternative to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
In Japan and the European Union, Phenoxyethanol's concentration in cosmetics is restricted to 1%.
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.
Phenoxyethanol is commonly used in cosmetics for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
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 phenoxyethanol have rarely been reported.
Three cases of CoU induced by phenoxyethanol in cosmetics have been reported.
Phenoxyethanol is used as a single agent and in combination with other preservatives such as 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (Euxyl K 400) and parabens, or in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds.
The possibility of immunological IgE-mediated reaction could not be confirmed because specific IgE against Phenoxyethanol was negative.
Antimicrobial preservative; also used topically in treatment of bacterial infections.
Preservation of cosmetics, toiletry and household products and their raw materials.
Phenoxyethanol is often used in combination with other preservatives and in some cases positive synergetic effects can be obtained.
Phenoxyethanol is also used in acne treatment.
Due to its low evaporation, Phenoxyethanol is used as a fixative in perfumes and fragrance.
Pharmaceutical Applications
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.
Phenoxyethanol has a narrow spectrum of activity and is thus frequently used in combination with other preservatives,
Industrial uses
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations at a maximum concentration of 1.0%.
Phenoxyethanol is a broad spectrum preservative which has excellent activity against a wide range of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, yeast and mould.
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.
Phenoxyethanol is not registered as a food additive in the EU.
Scognamiglio et al. (ref. 105) reported that phenoxyethanol is a fragrance ingredient used in many fragrance mixtures (see discussion).
An ester of Phenoxyethanol, Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate and Phenoxyacetic acid, the main metabolite of 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).
Phenoxyethanol can be used in water mixable lubricants, in paints and varnishes as coalescing agent and as a modifier in melamine formaldehyde resins.
Phenoxyethanol is used as a solvent in ball pen and printing inks.
Phenoxyethanol is used as a striping agent and in the surface treatment of metals as degreaser.
Phenoxyethanol's biostatic abilities is often used in combination with other actives to preserve metal working fluids, glues and industrial adhesives.
Reactivity Profile
Phenoxyethanol may react violently with strong oxidizing agents.
May generate flammable and/or toxic gases with alkali metals, nitrides, and other strong reducing agents.
May initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
Health Hazard
May cause moderate eye irritation and moderate corneal injury.
Excessive exposure may cause skin irritation and hemolysis.
Phenoxyethanol is combustible.
Contact allergens
Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether-alcohol used mainly as a preservative, mostly with methyldibromoglutaronitrile or with parabens.
Sensitization to this molecule is very rare.
Production
Phenoxyethanol is produced by the hydroxyethylation of phenol (Williamson synthesis), for example, in the presence of alkali-metal hydroxides or alkali-metal borohydrides.
Synonyms
2-PHENOXYETHANOL
Phenoxyethanol
122-99-6
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
Phenyl cellosolve
Phenoxethol
Phenoxytol
Ethanol, 2-phenoxy-
2-Phenoxyethan-1-Ol
Ethylene glycol phenyl ether
Phenoxetol
Phenoxyethyl alcohol
1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
Rose ether
Phenylmonoglycol ether
Arosol
Dowanol EP
2-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
Glycol monophenyl ether
2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Phenylglycol
Fenyl-cellosolve
2-Fenoxyethanol
Dowanol EPH
2-Phenoxy-ethanol
Emery 6705
Emeressence 1160
Fenylcelosolv
beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
NSC 1864
MFCD00002857
PHE-G
.beta.-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
NSC-1864
2-phenoxy ethanol
9004-78-8
Phenoxyethanol [NF]
.beta.-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
HIE492ZZ3T
FEMA NO. 4620
CHEBI:64275
NSC1864
Phenoxyethanol (NF)
NCGC00090731-01
NCGC00090731-05
EGMPE
Fenylcelosolv [Czech]
2-Fenoxyethanol [Czech]
Fenyl-cellosolve [Czech]
Plastiazan-41 [Russian]
Plastiazan-41
beta-Phenoxyethanol
CAS-122-99-6
.beta.-Phenoxyethanol
HSDB 5595
PHE-S
EINECS 204-589-7
UNII-HIE492
ZZ3T
BRN 1364011
AI3-00752()C
phenylcellosolve
ethyleneglycol monophenyl ether
CCRIS 9481
Ethylene glycol-monophenyl ether
Dalpad A
2-phenyloxyethanol
Newpol EFP
2-(phenoxy)ethanol
beta-Hydroxyphenetole
2-phenoxy-1-ethanol
beta-phenoxyethylalcohol
starbld0047047
2-Phenoxyethanol, 9CI
2-Phenoxyethanol, 99%
WLN: Q2OR
EC 204-589-7
PHENOXYETHANOL [II]
SCHEMBL15708
2-Phenoxyethanol, >=99%
PHENOXYETHANOL [HSDB]
PHENOXYETHANOL [INCI]
4-06-00-00571 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
MLS002174254
Euxyl K 400 (Salt/Mix)
2-PHENOXYETHANOL [MI]
PHENOXYETHANOL [MART.]
PHENOXYETHANOL [USP-RS]
PHENOXYETHANOL [WHO-DD]
2-PHENOXYETHANOL 500ML
CHEMBL1229846
DTXSID9021976
AMY9420
HMS2268A20
NSC1864NSC 1864
HY-B1729
STR04582
ZINC1577061
Tox21_111002
Tox21_113532
Tox21_202111
Tox21_300842
BBL027410
PHENOXYETHANOL [EP MONOGRAPH]
STK802556
2-Phenoxyethanol, analytical standard
Fungal Terminator [veterinary] (TN)
AKOS000118741
Tox21_111002_1
DB11304
NCGC00090731-02
NCGC00090731-03
NCGC00090731-04
NCGC00090731-06
NCGC00090731-07
NCGC00090731-08
NCGC00254745-01
NCGC00259660-01
56257-90-0
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, >=90%
SMR000112131
ETHANOL,2-PHENOXY MFC8 H10 O2
CS-0013737
FT-0613280
P0115
P1953
EN300-19339
2-Phenoxyethanol, tested according to Ph.Eur.
D08359
A805003
Q418038
SR-01000838345
J-510235
SR-01000838345-2
F1905-6997
Z104473570
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, SAJ first grade, >=95.0%
Phenoxyethanol, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Phenoxyethanol, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
2-Phenoxyethanol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
