Ingredient Dictionary

ACETOPHENONE

Acetophenone is a methyl ketone that is acetone in which one of the methyl groups has been replaced by a phenyl group.

Definition

Acetophenone is a methyl ketone that is acetone in which one of the methyl groups has been replaced by a phenyl group. It has a role as a xenobiotic, a photosensitizing agent and an animal metabolite.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII RK493WHV10 · registered name Acetophenone · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Acetophenone is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Gives the product a scentPERFUMINGListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name アセトフェノン: 本品は、次の化学式で表される有機化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

ACETOPHENONEINCIEthanone, 1-phenyl-SynonymアセトフェノンJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 98-86-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-708-7
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6021828
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID501828

IUPAC: 1-Phenylethan-1-one
Molecular formula: C8H8O
Molecular weight: 120.151 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Acetophenone appears as a colorless liquid with a sweet pungent taste and odor resembling the odor of oranges. Freezes under cool conditions. Slightly soluble in water and denser than water. Hence sinks in water. Vapor heavier than air. A mild irritant to skin and eyes. Vapors can be narcotic in high concentrations. Used as a flavoring, solvent, and polymerization catalyst. · CBI, Liquid
Odour: Sweet pungent odor · Sweet, pungent and strong medicinal odor
Boiling point: 395.1 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 202.1 °C
Melting point: 67.5 °F (USCG, 1999) · 19.4 °C
Solubility: In water, 6,130 mg/L at 25 °C · Slightly soluble in water
Density: 1.028 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.0281 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Odour threshold: 0.3 ppm
Melting/freezing point: 20 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 202 ℃
Flash point: 77 ℃(c.c.)
Vapour pressure: 0.133 ㎪(15℃)
Water solubility: 0.613 g/100㎖(25℃)
Vapour density: 4.1
Relative density: 1.03
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.58
Auto-ignition temperature: 571 ℃
Viscosity: 0.93 cP(20℃)
Molecular weight: 120.1

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 80 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance63
Flavouring and nutrient6
Intermediate3
Solvent2
Adsorbent2
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Corrosion inhibitor1
No specific technical function1

1 other uses

Deodorizer1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 5 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1Classed as low2

The studies disagree (the most common conclusion covers 33%), so they do not establish that this ingredient is irritating. These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 10 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to other guideline: Consumer Product Safety Commission of the USA, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Section 1500.41 according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening
Eye Irrit. 2
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to other guideline: Consumer Product Safety Commission of the USA, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Section 1500.42 according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across