Products Description
4‑Chloro‑3‑methylphenol (PCMC, chlorocresol) occurs as colorless crystals. Its melting point is 66 °C (literature value: 55.5 °C), and boiling point is 235 °C. At 20 °C, 1 gram dissolves in 250 mL water; its solubility increases in hot water. It is freely soluble in organic solvents including benzene, ether, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and petroleum ether.
This substance is steam‑volatile. It serves as an intermediate for organic synthesis for dye production and photographic film preservatives, and is widely adopted as a preservative in pharmaceutical formulations.
Chemical Properties
| Density | 1.37 |
| Melting point | 63-65℃ |
| Boiling point | 151° F (NTP, 1992) |
| Refractive index | 1.5403 (73 C) |
| Flash Point | 230° F (NTP, 1992) |
| Vapour Pressure | 0.0±0.4 mmHg at 25°C |
| Precise Quality | 142.018539 |
| PSA | 20.23 |
| logP | 2.354 |
| Solubility | methanol: soluble1g/10 mL, clear, colorless |
| AnalyticLaboratory Methods | Method: EPA-EAD 604; Procedure: gas chromatography with flame ionization detector/electron capture detector; Analyte: 3-methyl-4-chlorophenol;; Matrix: water;; Detection Level: 0.36 ug/L. |
| Appearance | Off white crystals |
| AutoIgnition | 590°C |
| Storage | Ambient temperatures. |
| Chemical Properties | white or pink crystals |
| Physical Properties | Colorless, white, or pinkish crystals with a slight phenolic odor. On exposure to air it slowlybecomes light brown. |
| Color/Form | White |
| Contact Allergens | Chlorocresol is a biocide used for its disinfectant andpreservative properties, in topicals or cutting fluid. |
| Decomposition | When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of phosgene; /and hydrogen chloride;/. |
| Odor | Said to be odorless when very pure, but usually a phenolic odor persists |
| Odor Threshold | detection: 0.1 mg/kg |
| PH | pH = 5.6 in saturated aqueous solution |
| Physical | CHLOROCRESOL; is a pinkish to white crystalline solid with a phenolic odor. Melting point 64-66°C. Shipped as a solid or in a liquid carrier. Soluble in aqueous base. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. Used as an external germicide. Used as a preservative in paints and inks. |
| pKa | pKa 9.55(t = 25) (Uncertain) |
| Water Solubility | 4 g/L (20 oC) |
| Spectral Properties | Intense mass spectral peaks: 142 m/z (100%), 107 m/z (80%), 144 m/z (32%), 77 m/z (24%) |
| MASS: 3931 (NIST/EPA/MSDC Mass Spectral Database, 1990 version); 1126 (Atlas of Mass Spectral Data, John Wiley and Sons, New York) | |
| RAMAN: 224 (Sadtler Research Laboratories Spectral Collection) | |
| IR: 5721 (Coblentz Society Spectral Collection) | |
| UV: 1303 (Sadtler Research Laboratores Spectral Collection) | |
| NMR: 10933(Sadtler Research Laboratories Spectral Collection); 236 (Johnson and Jankowski, Carbon-13 NMR Spectra, John Wiley and Sons, New York) | |
| Stability | Stable. Incompatible with brass, oxidizing agents, copper, copper alloys. |
| StorageTemp | Store below +30°C. |
Product Application
4‑Chloro‑3‑cresol (PCMC, 4‑Chloro‑3‑methylphenol, CAS 59‑50‑7) is an important phenolic derivative with strong bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties. It can function both as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth and as a disinfectant for sanitization purposes.
Beyond its biocidal performance, it also exhibits biological activity as a ryanodine receptor activator, which makes it valuable for biochemical research and related pharmacological studies.
In industrial applications, it acts as a versatile building block in organic synthesis. It is widely utilized in the production of dyes and serves as an effective preservative for photographic film. Moreover, it is a well‑established preservative raw material for pharmaceutical formulations, commonly added to topical creams, ointments and other medicinal preparations to prevent microbial spoilage and extend shelf life.
