Ingredient Dictionary

TEREPHTHALIC ACID

Terephthalic acid is a benzenedicarboxylic acid carrying carboxy groups at positions 1 and 4.

Definition

Terephthalic acid is a benzenedicarboxylic acid carrying carboxy groups at positions 1 and 4. One of three possible isomers of benzenedicarboxylic acid, the others being phthalic and isophthalic acids. It is a conjugate acid of a terephthalate(1-).

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 6S7NKZ40BQ · registered name Terephthalic acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Terephthalic Acid is the organic compound that conforms to the formula

Cosmetic roles

No declared roleNOT REPORTED

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

Names & identifiers

TEREPHTHALIC ACIDINCI1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acidSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 100-21-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6026080
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID006080

IUPAC: Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid
Molecular formula: C8H6O4
Molecular weight: 166.132 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Terephthalic acid is a white powder. (NTP, 1992) · Liquid, Dry Powder, Other Solid, Large Crystals, CBI
Boiling point: greater than 572 °F at 760 mmHg (sublimes without melting) (NTP, 1992) · >572 °F (sublimes)
Melting point: Sublimes (NTP, 1992) · 427 °C (sealed tube)
Solubility: Insoluble (NTP, 1992) · Insoluble in chloroform, ether, acetic acid, slightly soluble in alcohol, soluble in alkalies
Density: 1.51 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water, will sink · Specific gravity = 1.522 at 25 °C
Dissociation constant: The dissociation constants pK1 and pK2 for terephthalic acid at 25 °C are 3.54 and 4.46, respectively.
pH: 2.16
Melting/freezing point: &amp, gt, 300 ℃
Flash point: 260 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: - / 0.05 g/ℓ (d10=32.75 um,d50=109.76um,d90=228.1um(BS EN 14034-3))
Vapour pressure: 0.0000092 ㎜Hg (25℃)
Water solubility: 0.28 g/100㎖ (20℃)
Relative density: 1.51
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.96
Auto-ignition temperature: 496 ℃
Molecular weight: 166.1

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 14 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.

Monomers3
Intermediate3
Solvent2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2
Viscosity modifier2
Catalyst1
Plasticizer1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

6 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low4

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 8 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: DoT corrosion screen according to
SkinSens1
Skin Sensitization · QSAR Predicted
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 2B
Eye Irritation · Screening