Review
Fragrance material review on β-methylphenethyl alcohol

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Abstract

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of β-methylphenethyl alcohol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. β-Methylphenethyl alcohol is a member of the fragrance structural group Aryl Alkyl Alcohols and is a primary alcohol. The AAAs are a structurally diverse class of fragrance ingredients that includes primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl alcohols covalently bonded to an aryl (Ar) group, which may be either a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. The common structural element for the AAA fragrance ingredients is an alcohol group –C–(R1)(R2)OH and generically the AAA fragrances can be represented as an Ar–C–(R1)(R2)OH or Ar–Alkyl–C–(R1)(R2)OH group. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data for β-methylphenethyl alcohol were evaluated then summarized and includes physical properties, acute toxicity, skin irritation, mucous membrane (eye) irritation, skin sensitization, toxicokinetics, repeated dose, and genotoxicity data. A safety assessment of the entire Aryl Alkyl Alcohols will be published simultaneously with this document; please refer to Belsito et al. (2012) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all Aryl Alkyl Alcohols in fragrances.

Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2012. A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of aryl alkyl alcohols when used as fragrance ingredients.

Introduction

This document provides a comprehensive summary of the human health toxicological data currently available pertaining to the safety evaluation of β-methylphenethyl alcohol (see Fig. 1) when used as a fragrance ingredient. All safety data on β-methylphenethyl alcohol were compiled with due diligence including published and unpublished data. In 2009, a complete literature search was conducted on β-methylphenethyl alcohol. On-line toxicological databases were searched including those from the Chemical Abstract Services [e.g. ToxCenter (which in itself contains 18 databases including Chemical Abstracts)], and the National Library of Medicine [e.g. Medline, Toxnet (which contains 14 databases)] as well as 26 additional sources (e.g. BIOSIS, Embase, RTECS, OSHA, ESIS). In addition, all RIFM sponsored studies and studies from fragrance companies are included in this summary.

The safety data on this material were last reviewed by Opdyke (1975). Data from all relevant references are summarized in this FMR. More details have been provided for unpublished data. The number of animals, sex and strain are always provided unless they are not given in the original report or paper. Papers in which the vehicles and/or the doses are not given were included and noted in this summary because either they demonstrated an adverse effect or there were limited to no data on this fragrance ingredient.

Section snippets

Identification

  • 2.1.

    Synonyms: Benzeneethanol, α-methyl-; hydratropic alcohol; hydratropyl alcohol; 2-phenyl-1-propanol; 2-phenylpropyl alcohol; 2-phenylpropan-1-ol

  • 2.2.

    CAS Registry No.: 1123-85-9

  • 2.3.

    EINECS No.: 214-379-7

  • 2.4.

    Formula: C9H12O

  • 2.5.

    Molecular weight: 136.19

  • 2.6.

    Council of Europe: β-Methylphenethyl alcohol was included by the Council of Europe in the list of substances granted B – information required – 28 days oral study (COE No. 2257) (Council of Europe, 2000)

  • 2.7.

    FDA (1977): β-Methylphenethyl alcohol was approved by the FDA as a

Physical properties

  • 3.1.

    Boiling point: 219 °C

  • 3.2.

    Henry’s Law (calculated): 0.000000383 atm m3/mol @ 25 °C

  • 3.3.

    Flash point: >200 F; CC

  • 3.4.

    log Kow (calculated): 1.98

  • 3.5.

    Specific gravity: 1.003

  • 3.6.

    Vapor pressure (calculated): 0.02 mm Hg @ 20 °C

  • 3.7.

    Water solubility (calculated): 5677 mg/l @ 25 °C

  • 3.8.

    UV spectra not available at RIFM

Usage

β-Methylphenethyl alcohol is a fragrance ingredient used in many compounds. It may be found in fragrances used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet-floral, but rather heavy odor of Lilac-Hyacinth type (Arctander, 1969). The worldwide volume of use for β-methylphenethyl alcohol is in the region of 1–10 metric tons per year (IFRA, 2008

Oral studies

The acute oral LD50 of β-methylphenethyl alcohol in rats was reported to be 2.3 ± 0.4 g/kg. Mortality was 8, 8, 5, 3, 1, and 0 on day 1 at 5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1, and 0.5 g/kg, respectively. At 5 g/kg, one rat died on day 2 and another on day 4. There was no other mortality throughout the 14-day observation period. Clinical signs of toxicity included ataxia, depression, loss of righting reflex, increased respiration, tremors, and twitches (RIFM, 1974a).

Dermal studies

The acute dermal LD50 of β-methylphenethyl alcohol in

Conflict of Interest

Joseph Scognamiglio, Leah Jones, Charlene Letizia, and Anne Marie Api are the employees of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, an independent research institute supported by the manufacturers of fragrances and consumer products containing fragrances.

References (23)

  • FDA (Food and Drug Administration), xxxx. Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 172.515. Title 21 – Food and Drugs, vol....

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