Chemical Component Summary

Name2-phenoxyethanol
Identifiers2-phenoxyethanol
FormulaC8 H10 O2
Molecular Weight138.164
TypeNON-POLYMER
Isomeric SMILESc1ccc(cc1)OCCO
InChIInChI=1S/C8H10O2/c9-6-7-10-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7H2
InChIKeyQCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Details

Formal Charge0
Atom Count20
Chiral Atom Count0
Bond Count20
Aromatic Bond Count6

Drug Info: DrugBank

DrugBank IDDB11304 
NamePhenoxyethanol
Groups approved
DescriptionPhenoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is a glycol ether used as a perfume fixative, insect repellent, antiseptic, solvent, preservative, and also as an anesthetic in fish aquaculture. Phenoxyethanol is an ether alcohol with aromatic properties. It is both naturally found and manufactured synthetically. Demonstrating antimicrobial ability, phenoxyethanol acts as an effective preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants [L2619]. Phenoxyethanol (EU), or PE, is the most commonly used globally-approved preservative in personal care formulations. It is very easy to use in various types of formulations and is chemically stable. Phenoxyethanol is a colorless, clear, oily liquid with a faint aromatic odor at room temperature and a low water solubility and evaporation rate. It is produced by reacting phenol (EU) and ethylene oxide (EU) at a high temperature and pressure. This substance occurs naturally in green tea (EU) [L2621]. According to the European Union Cosmetics Regulation (EC) n.1223/2009, phenoxyethanol is authorized as a preservative in cosmetic formulations at a maximum concentration of 1.0% [L2625]. Phenoxyethanol has been classified as an antimicrobial and preservative by Health Canada [L2623]. It has also been used in vaccines and shown to inactivate bacteria, and several types of yeast [A32838].
Synonyms
  • 1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
  • Phenyl cellosolve
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • 2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
  • beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Brand Names
  • Disinfecting Alcohol Wipes
  • Disinfectant Wet Wipes
  • Lanohex Shp 1.7%
  • Aiweier Alcohol Wipes
  • Lanohex Nettoyeur Pour LA Peau 1.7%
IndicationAntimicrobial agent used as a preservative in cosmetics [L2618], [L2619], [L2625].
Categories
  • Alcohols
  • Anesthetics
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Central Nervous System Agents
CAS number122-99-6

Related Resource References

Resource NameReference
PubChem 31236
ChEMBL CHEMBL1229846
ChEBI CHEBI:64275