Phenoxyethanol is theorganic compound with the formula C6H5OC2H4OH. It is a colorless oily liquid. It can be classified as aglycol ether and aphenol ether. It is a common preservative in vaccine formulations.[4] It has a faint rose-like aroma.[5]
Phenoxyethanol was first prepared byW. H. Perkin Jr. and his graduate student Edward Haworth in 1896.[13] They reactedsodium,phenol and2-chloroethanol in anhydrous ethanol.[14] Starting from the 1920s, it has been commercially available as acellulose acetate solvent under the trademark of "Phenyl cellosolve".[15]
The compound is produced in the industry by the hydroxyethylation of phenol (Williamson synthesis), for example, in the presence ofalkali-metal hydroxides or alkali-metal borohydrides.[1]
Phenoxyethanol is a vaccine preservative and potential allergen, which may result in a nodular reaction at the site of injection. Possible symptoms include rashes, eczema, and possible death.[17] It reversibly inhibitsNMDAR-mediated ion currents.[18]
In view of phenoxyethanol's widespread use, its biodegradation has been examined. One pathway entails initial conversion to phenol and acetaldehyde.[19]
^Meyer, Brian K.; Ni, Alex; Hu, Binghua; Shi, Li (2007). "Antimicrobial preservative use in parenteral products: Past and present".Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.96 (12):3155–3167.doi:10.1002/jps.20976.PMID17722087.
^Wineski LE, English AW (1989). "Phenoxyethanol as a nontoxic preservative in the dissection laboratory".Acta Anat (Basel).136 (2):155–8.doi:10.1159/000146816.PMID2816264.
^Tokunaga H, Takeuchi O, Ko R, Uchino T, Ando M (2003)."市販化粧水中のフェノキシエタノールおよびパラベン類の分析法に関する研究" [Studies for analyzing phenoxyethanol and parabens in commercial lotions](PDF).Kokuritsu Iyakuhin Shokuhin Eisei Kenkyūjo Hōkoku (in Japanese) (121):25–9.PMID14740401.
^M. H. Beck; S. M. Wilkinson (2010), "Contact Dermatitis: Allergic", in Tony Burns; Stephen Breathnach; Neil Cox; Christopher Griffiths (eds.),Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, vol. 2 (8th ed.), Wiley-Blackwell, p. 26.46,ISBN978-1-4051-6169-5
