7254. Phenoxyacetic Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 122-59-8
Phenoxyethanoic acid; O-phenylglycolic acid; phenyl ether glycolic acid; Phenylium.
C8H8O3; mol wt 152.15.
C 63.15%, H 5.30%, O 31.55%.

Description and references

Prepd from phenol and monochloroacetic acid: Giacosa, J. Prakt. Chem. [2] 19, 396 (1879); van Alphen, Rec. Trav. Chim. 46, 148 (1927).

Chemical structure

Properties

Needles from water, mp 98°; bp 285° (some decompn). pK (25°) 3.12. One gram dissolves in ≈75 ml water. Freely sol in alcohol, ether, benzene, carbon disulfide, glacial acetic acid.

Caution

Mild irritant.

Use

Fungicide; keratin exfoliative (to relieve and to soften calluses, corns, and other hard skin surfaces; applied as plasters, pads or in liquids).