Butylparaben Chemical Properties

Melting point:

67-70 °C(lit.)

Boiling point:

156-157 °C3.5 mm Hg(lit.)

Density 

1.28

vapor pressure 

0.002-0.113Pa at 20-50℃

FEMA 

2203 | BUTYL P-HYDROXY BENZOATE

refractive index 

1.5115 (estimate)

Flash point:

181℃

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

Soluble in DMSO, ethyl acetate, methanol.

pka

pKa 8.5 (Uncertain)

form 

Crystalline Powder

color 

White to almost white

Odor

very faint phenolic

Odor Type

bland

Water Solubility 

<0.1 g/100 mL at 17 ºC

Merck 

14,1584

JECFA Number

870

BRN 

1103741

Stability:

Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong alkalies.

InChIKey

QFOHBWFCKVYLES-UHFFFAOYSA-N

LogP

3.57

CAS DataBase Reference

94-26-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

P-hydroxybenzoic acid, n-butyl ester(94-26-8)

EPA Substance Registry System

Butylparaben (94-26-8)

Safety Information

Risk Statements 

36/37/38

Safety Statements 

22-24/25-37/39-26

WGK Germany 

2

RTECS 

DH1980000

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

29182900

Hazardous Substances Data

94-26-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:4-(Butoxycarbonyl)phenol
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Butylparaben Usage And Synthesis

Chemical properties

Butylparaben appears as white crystal powder, having slightly special odor. It is slightly soluble in water, being soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform.

Production method

Butylparaben is derived from the esterification between p-hydroxybenzoic acid and butanol. Butanol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid are heated together for being dissolved, slowly added dropwise of sulfuric acid, continue the refluxing for 8h. After cooling, add 4% sodium carbonate solution, separate the water layer, steam out the butanol, let it cool, filter to obtain the crude product, and then carry out ethanol recrystallization (solubility in ethanol: 200g/100ml).
Take sulfuric acid as a catalyst; derive it from the reaction between p-hydroxybenzoic acid and butanol.

Uses

Butylparaben is used as a preservative in some foods, cosmetics, and drug formulations. It has been added to solutions such as commercially prepared low-ionic strength saline (LISS) solutions and beer to retard microbial growth (Judd et al., 1982; Raducan et al., 1994). Parabens in general are most active against molds and yeasts and, to a lesser extent, bacteria. In comparison to other parabens, butylparaben appears to be the best antifungal agent (HSDB, 2003).

Toxicity

ADI is subject to postponed decision (FAO/WHO, 2001).
LD50: 16.0 g/kg (mouse, subcutaneous injection).
Mice subjecting to short-term toxicity test have gotten inhibited weight increase. There have been reports regarding to the acute dermatitis for human beings. In the p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, this product gives the best anti-corrosion effect, but also the largest toxicity.

Content analysis

2g (accurate to 0.1mg) was taken and dried in silica gel for 5h before being transferred to the flask. Add 40 mL of 1mol/L of sodium hydroxide, flush flasks with water. Cover the surface of the dish and apply a small fire to boil 1h before cooling. Add 5 drops of bromothymol blue solution (TS-56), titrate the excess sodium hydroxide with 1 mol/L sulfuric acid, and make the color of the solution consistent with the buffer containing the same indicator (pH 6.5). Carry out a blank test at the same time and make the necessary calibration. 1ml/L sodium hydroxide per milliliter corresponds to the 194.2 mg of this product (C11H14O3).

Usage limit

Japan (1998, calculated on p-hydroxybenzoic acid; the data in parentheses is the amount converted into equivalent amount of this product, g/ kg), soy sauce 0.25 g/L (0.35 g/L), vinegar 0.1 g/L (0.14 g/L); Soft drinks and syrup: 0.1 (0.14); fruit sauce: 0.2 (0.28); fruits and vegetables 0.012 (0.016).

Hazards & Safety Information

Category :Toxic substances
Toxic classification: poisoning
Acute toxicity:  Oral-mouse LD50: 13200 mg/kg; celiac-mouse LD50: 230 mg/kg
Stimulation Data:  Skin-Guinea Pig 5%/48 hours Mild
Flammability and Hazardous characteristics:  Thermal decomposition; pungent irritation Smoke
Storage and transportation characteristics:  Treasury: ventilated, low temperature and dry
Fire extinguishing agent:  water, dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide

Description

Butylparaben is an antimicrobial agent used in pharmaceutical suspensions. It is act by inhibiting DNA, RNA, and enzymes (eg, ATPase and phosphotransferase) synthesis. Butylparaben may be used alone or with other parabens, chiefly methylparaben and/or propylparaben, in medications. It is common in many liquid and solid (gel cap) OTC products such as Tylenol, Drixoral, Maalox, and Mylanta. Unfortunately, butylparaben concentrations were seldom identified for OTC or prescription products. No attempt was made to identify butylparaben-containing dietary supplements.

Chemical Properties

Butylparaben occurs as colorless crystals or a white, crystalline, odorless or almost odorless, tasteless powder.

Uses

preservative in many creams, lotions, ointments and other cosmetics, foods (salad dressings, mayonnaise, spiced sauces, mustard, frozen dairy products, baked products), pharmaceutical preparations and dentifrices. It is active against molds, fungi and yeasts, but less active against bacteria. ICU.

Definition

ChEBI: Butylparaben is an organic molecular entity. It is a Standardized Chemical Allergen. The physiologic effect of butylparaben is by means of Increased Histamine Release, and Cell-mediated Immunity.

Preparation

Butyl paraben is prepared by esterifying p-hydroxybenzoic acid with butyl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, and an excess of the specific alcohol.

Production Methods

Butylparaben is prepared by esterification of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with n-butanol.

General Description

Odorless white crystals or crystalline powder. Tasteless, but numbs the tongue. Aqueous solutions slightly acidic to litmus.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Butylparaben is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong caustics.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for Butylparaben are not available; however, Butylparaben is probably combustible.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Butylparaben is widely used as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations.
It may be used either alone or in combination with other paraben esters or with other antimicrobial agents. In cosmetics, it is the fourth most frequently used preservative.
As a group, the parabens are effective over a wide pH range and have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, although they are most effective against yeasts and molds.
Owing to the poor solubility of the parabens, paraben salts, particularly the sodium salt, are frequently used in formulations. However, this may raise the pH of poorly buffered formulations. See Methylparaben for further information.

Contact allergens

This substance is one of the parabens family. Parabens are esters formed by p-hydroxybenzoic acid and an alcohol. They are largely used as biocides in cosmetics and toiletries, medicaments, or food. They have synergistic power with other biocides. Parabens can induce allergic contact dermatitis, mainly in chronic dermatitis and wounded skin.

Safety

Butylparaben and other parabens are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics and oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
Systemically, no adverse reactions to parabens have been reported, although they have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions generally appearing as contact dematitis. Immediate reactions with urticaria and bronchospasm have occurred rarely. See Methylparaben for further information.
LD₅₀ (mouse, IP): 0.23 g/kg
LD₅₀ (mouse, oral): 13.2 g/kg

storage

Aqueous butylparaben solutions at pH 3–6 can be sterilized by autoclaving, without decomposition. At pH 3–6, aqueous solutions are stable (less than 10% decomposition) for up to about 4 years at room temperature, while solutions at pH 8 or above are subject to rapid hydrolysis (10% or more after about 60 days at room temperature).

Incompatibilities

The antimicrobial activity of butylparaben is considerably reduced in the presence of nonionic surfactants as a result of micellization. Absorption of butylparaben by plastics has not been reported but appears probable given the behavior of other parabens. Some pigments, e.g. ultramarine blue and yellow iron oxide, absorb butylparaben and thus reduce its preservative properties.
Butylparaben is discolored in the presence of iron and is subject to hydrolysis by weak alkalis and strong acids.

Regulatory Status

Butylparaben is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In 1998 its pesticide registration status was listed as "cancelled" (U.S. EPA, 2003).
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (injections; oral capsules, solutions, suspensions, syrups and tablets; rectal, and topical preparations). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.

Butylparaben(94-26-8)Related Product Information

• DL-α-Tocopherol
• tert-Butanol
• Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate
• Cyhalofop-butyl
• Butyl acetate
• Pralmorelin
• Nonylphenol
• Methyl salicylate
• Heptyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
• Tributyl phosphate
• Propylparaben
• 4-(Diethylamino)salicylaldehyde
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Buprofezin
• Phenol
• 2-Ethylhexyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
• Methylparaben
• Methyl acrylate