Summary
Chloroxylenol, also known as para-chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX), is a chlorine substituted phenol with a white to off-white appearance and a phenolic odor. The discovery of chloroxylenol was the result of efforts to produce improved antiseptics that began at the end of the 1800s. First synthesized in Germany in 1923, it was borne out of the study of coal tar components that began a decade earlier.[2]
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| Names | |
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| Preferred IUPAC name
4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol[1] | |
| Other names
para-Chloro-meta-xylenol, PCMX, 4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol
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| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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| 1862539 | |
| ChEBI |
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| ChEMBL |
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| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.631 |
| EC Number |
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| KEGG |
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| MeSH | chloroxylenol |
PubChem CID
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| RTECS number |
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| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C8H9ClO | |
| Molar mass | 156.61 g·mol−1 |
| Melting point | 115 °C (239 °F; 388 K) |
| Boiling point | 246 °C (475 °F; 519 K) |
| 300 mg/L [2] | |
| Solubility in alcohols | soluble |
| Solubility in Ethers | soluble |
| Solubility in Benzene | soluble |
| log P | 3.377 |
| Acidity (pKa) | 9.76 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 4.24 |
| Pharmacology | |
| D08AE05 (WHO) | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
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| Warning | |
| H302, H315, H317, H319 | |
| P280, P305+P351+P338 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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Synthesis edit
Other chlorine substituted phenols are contaminated with dioxins resulting from their synthesis. USEPA found chloroxylenol synthesis was not affected.[3][4]
Uses edit
Formulations containing chloroxylenol are used in hospitals and households as antiseptics, disinfectants, and sanitizers. It is commonly used in antibacterial soaps, wound-cleansing, and other household antiseptic applications.[2] Chloroxylenol is used in a number of formulations and under a number of brand names, most notably Dettol.[5]
The World Health Organization lists a 4.8% solution of chloroxylenol as an essential medicine.[6] When diluted, this chloroxylenol preparation is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, and for skin disinfection. Diluted with alcohol, it is suitable for disinfecting medical instruments.[7]
The use of chloroxylenol has been increasing due to the removal of hexachlorophene[2] and later triclosan and others from world markets.[8][4] It is currently used for control of bacteria, algae, and fungi in:
- Adhesive and sealant products
- Construction products
- Lubricant and grease products
- Paint and coating products
- Plastic and polymer products
- wash tanks
- diaper pails
- laundry equipment
- bedding
- pet living quarters
- hospitals
- Personal care products
- Cleaning and furniture care products
- Fabric, textile and leather products
- Ink, toner and colorant products
United States edit
Chloroxylenol was first introduced to the USA in 1959. Chloroxylenol containing products must not be used in any manner that allows contamination of water.[3]
EU edit
Chloroxylenol is allowed in cosmetics up to 0.5%[4]
Antimicrobial properties edit
Chloroxylenol is most effective against gram-positive bacteria.[7] It works by disruption of the cell wall and stopping the function of enzymes.[9][10][4] It is less effective than some other available agents.[11][9] Testing has shown products containing chloroxylenol effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus[12] and orthopoxviruses.[13]
Toxicology edit
Chloroxylenol is generally slightly to moderately toxic to humans (but causes severe eye irritation), is practically non-toxic to birds, toxic to fish, and moderately toxic to freshwater invertebrates.[3] The European Union considers it to be a skin sensitizer.[8]
Related compounds edit
- 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (PCMC) – similar use / similar structure
- 2-Chloro-m-cresol – Structural similarity
References edit
- ^ CID 2723 from PubChem
- ^ a b c d Ascenzi JM (1996). "Chloroxylenol: an old-new antimicrobial". Handbook of disinfectants and antiseptics. New York: M. Dekker. ISBN 978-0-8247-9524-5. Archived from the original on 2017-09-23.
- ^ a b c d R.E.D Facts, Chloroxylenol, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), September 1994.
- ^ a b c d e "Chloroxylenol - brand name list from Drugs.com" (PDF). www.industrialchemicals.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2017-08-28.
- ^ "Chloroxylenol - brand name list from Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-12.
- ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ a b World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. p. 324. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
- ^ a b "Chemical Profile: Chloroxylenol". www.madesafe.org. 25 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-11-24.
- ^ a b Mahon CR, Lehman DC, Manuselis G Jr (2014). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (5 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 67. ISBN 9780323292627. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13.
- ^ Bednarek RS, Nassereddin A, Ramsey ML (2021). "Skin Antiseptics". StatPearls. StatPearls. PMID 29939630.
- ^ Digison MB (2007). "A review of anti-septic agents for pre-operative skin preparation". Plastic Surgical Nursing. 27 (4): 185–9, quiz 190–1. doi:10.1097/01.psn.0000306182.50071.e2. PMID 18165724. S2CID 205427305.
- ^ Ijaz K, Whitehead K, Srinivasan V, Jones C, Nims R, Charlesworth B (2020-05-24). "Microbicidal actives with virucidal efficacy against SARS-CoV-2". American Journal of Infection Control. 48 (8): 972–973. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2020.05.015. PMC 7246051. PMID 32461067. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- ^ Butcher W, Ulaeto D (2005). "Contact inactivation of orthopoxviruses by household disinfectants". Journal of Applied Microbiology. 99 (2). Wiley: 279–284. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2005.02601.x. ISSN 1364-5072. PMID 16033458. S2CID 43085296.
External links edit
Media related to Chloroxylenol at Wikimedia Commons
