Specifications of Phenoxyethanol BP Ph Eur Grade:
C8H10O2 --- 138.2 --- CAS 122-99-6
Action and use: Antimicrobial preservative; also used topically in treatment
of bacterial infections.
DEFINITION
2-Phenoxyethanol.
Content: 99.0 per cent m/m to 100.5 per cent m/m.
CHARACTERS
Appearance: Colourless, slightly viscous liquid.
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, in arachis oil and in olive oil,
miscible with acetone, with ethanol (96 per cent) and with glycerol.
IDENTIFICATION
First identification: C
Second identification: A, B, D
A. Refractive index: 1.537 to 1.539.
B. Ultraviolet and visible absorption spectrophotometry.
Test solution: Dissolve 80.0 mg in water and dilute to 100.0 mL with the same
solvent. Dilute 10.0 mL of the solution to 100.0 mL with water.
Spectral range: 240-350 nm.
Absorption maxim: At 269 nm and 275 nm.
Specific absorbances at the absorption maxima:
- at 269 nm: 95 to 105;
- at 275 nm: 75 to 85.
C. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
D. Shake 2 mL with a mixture of 4 g of potassium permanganate, 5.4
g of sodium carbonate and 75 mL of water for 30 min. Add 25 g of sodium chloride and
stir continuously for 60 min, filter and acidify with hydrochloric acid to about pH
1.7. The melting point of the precipitate, after recrystallisation from water is 96C
to 99C.
TESTS
Relative density: 1.105 to 1.110.
Related substances: To pass the test by Gas chromatography.
Limits:
- unspecified impurities: for each impurity, maximum 0.10 per cent;
- total: maximum 0.3 per cent;
- reporting threshold: 0.05 per cent.
Specifications of Phenoxyethanol USP NF Grade:
C8H10O2 138.16
2-Phenoxyethanol;
2-Phenoxyethyl alcohol;
Ethylene glycol, 2-monophenyl ether CAS 122-99-6
DEFINITION
Phenoxyethanol contains NLT 98.0% and NMT 102.0% of phenoxyethanol (C8H10O2).
IDENTIFICATION
A. Infrared Absorption: On an undried specimen.
ASSAY
To pass the test.
Acceptance criteria: 98.0% to 102.0%
Organic Impurities: To pass the test.
Acceptance criteria: NMT 1.0%
Limit of Phenol: To pass the test.
Acceptance criteria: NMT 0.1%
Specific Gravity: 1.105 to 1.110 at 20C.
Specifications of Phenoxyethanol BP Ph Eur Grade:
C8H10O2 --- 138.2 --- CAS 122-99-6
Action and use: Antimicrobial preservative; also used topically in treatment
of bacterial infections.
DEFINITION
2-Phenoxyethanol.
Content: 99.0 per cent m/m to 100.5 per cent m/m.
CHARACTERS
Appearance: Colourless, slightly viscous liquid.
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, in arachis oil and in olive oil,
miscible with acetone, with ethanol (96 per cent) and with glycerol.
IDENTIFICATION
First identification: C
Second identification: A, B, D
A. Refractive index: 1.537 to 1.539.
B. Ultraviolet and visible absorption spectrophotometry.
Test solution: Dissolve 80.0 mg in water and dilute to 100.0 mL with the same
solvent. Dilute 10.0 mL of the solution to 100.0 mL with water.
Spectral range: 240-350 nm.
Absorption maxim: At 269 nm and 275 nm.
Specific absorbances at the absorption maxima:
- at 269 nm: 95 to 105;
- at 275 nm: 75 to 85.
C. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
D. Shake 2 mL with a mixture of 4 g of potassium permanganate, 5.4
g of sodium carbonate and 75 mL of water for 30 min. Add 25 g of sodium chloride and
stir continuously for 60 min, filter and acidify with hydrochloric acid to about pH
1.7. The melting point of the precipitate, after recrystallisation from water is 96C
to 99C.
TESTS
Relative density: 1.105 to 1.110.
Related substances: To pass the test by Gas chromatography.
Limits:
- unspecified impurities: for each impurity, maximum 0.10 per cent;
- total: maximum 0.3 per cent;
- reporting threshold: 0.05 per cent.
