2-Phenoxyethanol CAS#122-99-6
Effective Antimicrobial Action: Strong against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Versatile Solubility: Soluble in acetone, ethanol, and glycerin, enabling diverse applications.
Skin Irritation Risk at High Concentrations: Needs to be used in combination with other preservatives to minimize irritation.
Stable at Room Temperature: Stored below 30°C, maintaining its effectiveness in various formulations.
Phenoxyethanol is a widely used traditional preservative, appearing as a colorless, slightly viscous oily liquid with a mild aromatic odor and a slight burning sensation. It is only slightly soluble in water and nearly insoluble in mineral oil but can be freely mixed with acetone, ethanol, and glycerin in any proportion.
Phenoxyethanol is particularly effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and also shows inhibitory effects on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Its antimicrobial mechanism involves disrupting the bacterial cell membrane, increasing potassium ion permeability, and reducing enzymatic activity, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth.
However, its efficacy as a stand-alone preservative is limited at low concentrations, and it may cause skin irritation, such as burning or stinging, at higher concentrations. Therefore, it is typically used in combination with other preservatives to enhance effectiveness and reduce potential side effects.
Parameters
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) |
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 | 2-Phenoxyethanol(122-99-6) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (122-99-6) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xn,Xi |
Risk Statements | 22-36-R36-R22 |
Safety Statements | 26-S26 |
WGK Germany | 1 |
RTECS | KM0350000 |
Autoignition Temperature | 535 °C DIN 51794 |
Hazard Note | Irritant |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 29094990 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 122-99-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 1850 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rabbit > 2000 mg/kg |
