2-Phenoxyethanol

SyntheticPOPULAR & WEIRDfloral · rosy · balsamic

Seven perfumesOne of them is looking at you

HeartPyramid

—Strength

—Tenacity

—Origins

Specimen

2-Phenoxyethanol perfume ingredient — Heart

N/A — synthetic molecule

Definition

2-Phenoxyethanol is a colourless oily liquid that can be classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether. Its odour is faint and rose-like.

FLORAL BALSAMIC SWEET

phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, rose ether, phenyl cellosolve, phenoxyethyl alcohol, 1-hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Florals
Subfamily: Classic florals
Cluster: Rose-like florals
Source: synthetic molecule
Chemical class: glycol ether, phenol ether

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

Scent

A faint aromatic odour is also described. Its odour type is floral. A further description gives a mild odour of rose, balsam and cinnamyl. Another description calls the odour pleasant.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

The Full Story

Identity

Phenoxyethanol is the organic compound with the formula C₆H₅OC₂H₄OH. Its preferred IUPAC name is 2-phenoxyethan-1-ol. Its solubility in water is 26 g/kg. It is miscible with acetone, ethanol and glycerol. It is also soluble in chloroform, alkalis and diethyl ether, and only slightly soluble in peanut oil and olive oil.

Uses

Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic glycol ether used primarily as a cosmetic preservative. It can also contribute solvent properties within formulations. It is also used as an insect repellent and an antiseptic, and as a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks and resins. It serves as a preservative for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants. It is an alternative to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Combining phenoxyethanol with ethylhexylglycerin (9:1) is a common and effective synergistic strategy in the cosmetic industry. The pairing widens the antimicrobial spectrum and lets each component be used at lower concentrations.

Antimicrobial action

Phenoxyethanol is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and the yeast Candida albicans. It has germicidal and germistatic properties, and it is often used together with quaternary ammonium compounds.

Regulation and safety

In Japan and the European Union, its concentration in cosmetics is restricted to 1%. The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded that phenoxyethanol is safe as a preservative in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1.0% in finished formulations. It is harmful if swallowed and causes serious eye irritation.

History

In 1896 Perkin Jr. and his graduate student Edward Haworth first prepared phenoxyethanol. Starting from the 1920s, it has been commercially available as a cellulose acetate solvent under the trademark "Phenyl cellosolve".

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

—

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

Phenoxyethanol is produced in industry by the hydroxyethylation of phenol, a Williamson synthesis. It can be made, for example, in the presence of alkali-metal hydroxides or alkali-metal borohydrides. In its first preparation, sodium, phenol and 2-chloroethanol were reacted in anhydrous ethanol.

Formula: C₈H₁₀O₂
CAS: 122-99-6
Botanical: N/A — synthetic molecule
Appearance: Colorless oily liquid with a faint rose-like odor
Synonyms: phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, rose ether, phenyl cellosolve, phenoxyethyl alcohol, 1-hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane

IFRA status

See note

No IFRA Standard for the material itself (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Boiling point: 237.00 to 238.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Melting point: 12.00 to 14.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash point: 250.00 °F. TCC
Specific gravity: 1.10500 to 1.10800 @ 25.00 °C
Refractive index: 1.53700 to 1.54000 @ 20.00 °C

In Perfumery

Phenoxyethanol is used as a perfume fixative. Cosmetic-grade phenoxyethanol is typically selected because it has minimal impact on finished product aesthetics when appropriately formulated.

Role in the formula

01modifier

02blender

Available as

synthetic