Ingredient Dictionary

TRIMETHYLBENZENE

1,2,4-trimethylbenzene is a trimethylbenzene carrying methyl groups at positions 1, 2 and 4.

Definition

1,2,4-trimethylbenzene is a trimethylbenzene carrying methyl groups at positions 1, 2 and 4. It has a role as a neurotoxin.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 34X0W8052F · registered name PSEUDOCUMENE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Trimethylbenzene is the organic compound

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENT

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

TRIMETHYLBENZENEINCIBenzene, 1,2,4-trimethyl-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 95-63-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-436-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6021402
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID701402

IUPAC: 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Molecular formula: C9H12
Molecular weight: 120.195 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene appears as a liquid. Flash point near 130 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors irritate eyes, throat, and nose. Used in dyes and pharmaceuticals. · Liquid, CBI, Gas Vapor
Odour: Distinctive, aromatic odor
Boiling point: 334.4 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 168.89 °C
Melting point: -47.2 °F (USCG, 1999) · -43.77 °C
Solubility: 0.006 % (NIOSH, 2024) · Miscible with ethanol, benzene, ethyl ether, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, petroleum ether
Density: 0.889 (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.8758 g/cu cm at 20 °C, 0.8718 g/cu cm at 25 °C
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -44 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 169 ℃
Flash point: 44 ℃(c.c.)
Flammability (solid, gas): flammable
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 6.4 / 0.9 %
Vapour pressure: 2.10 ㎜Hg (at 25℃)
Water solubility: 57 ㎎/ℓ (at 25℃)
Vapour density: 4.15
Relative density: 0.8758 (at 20℃, 0.8718 at 25℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 3.78
Auto-ignition temperature: 500 ℃
Viscosity: 0.843 ㎡/s (at 20℃)
Molecular weight: 120.191

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 115 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.

Degradant/impurity (EPA)72
Solvent25
Solubility enhancer5
Fragrance3
Fuel3
Fuel agents2
Intermediate2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2

1 other uses

Catalyst1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

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 7 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Skin Irrit. 2
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Eye Irrit. 2
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Classification not possible
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across