2133. Chlorocresol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 59-50-7
4-Chloro-3-methylphenol; 3-methyl-4-chlorophenol; 4-chloro-m-cresol; 6-chloro-m-cresol; 6-chloro-3-hydroxytoluene; 2-chloro-5-hydroxytoluene; parachlorometacresol.
C7H7ClO; mol wt 142.58.
C 58.97%, H 4.95%, Cl 24.87%, O 11.22%.

Description and references

Prepd by chlorination of m-cresol: DE 90847 (1897 to Kalle), Frdl. 4, 94; Laschinger, US 1847566 (1932), C.A. 26, 2471 (1932); Sah, Anderson, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 63, 3164 (1941) DOI. HPLC determn in pharmaceutical formulations: R. Gatti et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 16, 405 (1997) DOI PubMed.

Chemical structure

Properties

Dimorphous crystals, mp 55.5° and mp 66° (ligroin). Said to be odorless when very pure, but usually a phenolic odor persists. Poisonous. bp 235°. Volatile with steam. One gram dissolves in 260 ml water at 20°, more sol in hot water. Freely sol in alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, acetone, petr ether, fixed oils, terpenes, aq alkaline solns. Aq solns turn yellow on exposure to light and air.

Use

Disinfectant; pharmaceutic aid (preservative).

Therapeutic Category

Antiseptic, disinfectant.

Keywords

Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Phenols