Ingredient Dictionary

ETHYLHEXANAL

2-ethylhexanal is a saturated fatty aldehyde that is heptane in which one of the hydrogens at position 3 has been replaced by a formyl group.

Definition

2-ethylhexanal is a saturated fatty aldehyde that is heptane in which one of the hydrogens at position 3 has been replaced by a formyl group. It is a metabolite of the plasticisers di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA). It has a role as a fungal metabolite and a bacterial xenobiotic metabolite.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII SEN8S34O6U · registered name 2-ETHYLHEXANAL · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Gives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

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

Names & identifiers

ETHYLHEXANALINCIHexanal, 2-ethyl-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 123-05-7
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 204-596-5
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID9025291
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID005291

IUPAC: 2-Ethylhexanal
Molecular formula: C8H16O
Molecular weight: 128.215 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: liquid
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -85 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 163 ℃
Flash point: 46 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 0.85 / 7.2 %
Vapour pressure: 1.8 ㎜Hg
Water solubility: 10 ㎎/ℓ
Vapour density: 4.5
Relative density: 0.85
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 2.518
Auto-ignition temperature: 180 ℃
Viscosity: 0.001 P(g/㎝·s)
Molecular weight: 128.24

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: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 6 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.

Solvent2
Fragrance2
Intermediate1
Flavouring and nutrient1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 2 studies

Severe Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to