We have found 46590 results matching your criteria.
Please wait while we search...

2,4,6-trimethyl phenol

2,4,6-trimethyl phenol is a phenolic compound with a characteristic mild phenolic coffee grounds odor and flavor, used as a flavor and fragrance agent.
Chemical Structure

General Material Description

2,4,6-trimethyl phenol is an aromatic organic compound classified as a phenol derivative with the molecular formula C9H12O. It appears as a colorless to pale liquid or solid depending on conditions, featuring a distinct mild phenolic odor reminiscent of coffee grounds. Known also by synonyms such as mesitol and 2-hydroxymesitylene, this compound is a chemical intermediate and flavor agent. It is sourced synthetically and can be found naturally in small amounts in plants like Prunus mahaleb. The compound’s sensory profile includes phenolic notes important in flavor and fragrance applications. For detailed chemical taxonomy and properties, readers may refer to its entry in PubChem.

Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses

2,4,6-trimethyl phenol occurs naturally in trace amounts in the seeds of Prunus mahaleb, a species used traditionally for flavoring. Its pleasant phenolic odor and flavor attributes make it applicable as a component in flavor and fragrance formulations. The compound serves as a functional ingredient that contributes mild phenolic coffee-like notes. It is recognized and regulated under FEMA (US) with FEMA number 4329, indicating its acknowledged status as a flavoring substance. The range of uses extends across various food categories including baked goods, beverages, dairy, and confectionery, where it imparts subtle sensory effects consistent with its phenol derivative class properties.

Physico-Chemical Properties Summary

2,4,6-trimethyl phenol displays physical characteristics relevant to formulation and handling. It melts between 73 and 74°C at standard atmospheric pressure. The compound's vapor pressure at 25°C is low (approximately 0.1 mmHg), indicating limited volatility under ambient conditions. Its estimated logP value of 2.7 suggests moderate hydrophobicity, affecting solubility and distribution in formulations. Solubility varies; it is moderately soluble in alcohol and experimental data specify approximately 1200 mg/L solubility in water at 25°C, while it is considered not soluble in pure water under certain conditions. The flash point near 96°C (206°F) requires appropriate storage precautions. To maintain stability, 2,4,6-trimethyl phenol should be stored in tightly sealed containers away from heat and light, preferably in cool, dry environments. Typical shelf life extends to 24 months or longer when properly stored.

FAQ

What is 2,4,6-trimethyl phenol and what are its key characteristics?
2,4,6-trimethyl phenol is a phenolic aromatic compound characterized by three methyl groups attached to a phenol ring. It exhibits a mild phenolic odor and flavor often described as resembling coffee grounds. This compound is employed as a flavor and fragrance agent and appears naturally in trace amounts in certain plants. Also known as mesitol or 2-hydroxymesitylene, it acts as a chemical intermediate with specific sensory properties valuable in product formulation.
Where is 2,4,6-trimethyl phenol found and how is it typically used?
This compound occurs naturally, notably in Prunus mahaleb seeds, but is commonly produced synthetically for commercial use. In the flavor and fragrance industry, it is utilized to impart phenolic, coffee-like sensory notes in various products. Its applications include incorporation into baked goods, beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic), dairy, confectionery, and seasonings. Regulatory bodies such as FEMA (US) have assigned it a flavoring substance number, recognizing its role within defined usage levels.
What safety regulations and storage considerations apply to 2,4,6-trimethyl phenol?
2,4,6-trimethyl phenol is regulated under FEMA (US) and EFSA (EU) frameworks, with documented flavor usage levels to ensure safety in consumer products. Handling precautions stem from its corrosive nature, classified as causing burns, necessitating protective measures such as gloves and eye protection during use. It should be stored in cool, dry places within tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light, to maintain stability. The compound has a shelf life of approximately 24 months when correctly stored. Toxicology studies report relatively low acute oral toxicity, but safe handling practices remain essential.

US / EU / FDA / JECFA / FEMA / Scholar / Patents

Google Scholar Start search
Google Books Start search
Google Patents Start search
Perfumer & Flavorists Start search
EU Patents Start search
PubMeb Start search
NCBI Start search

Literature & References

2,4,6-trimethylphenol
NIST Chemistry WebBook:Search Inchi
Canada Domestic Sub. List:527-60-6
Pubchem (cid):10698
Pubchem (sid):134978605
Publications by US Patents
3,946,080 - Flavouring and perfuming ingredients
Furfurylthioacetone

Other Information

(IUPAC):Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):View
CHEMBL:View
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):HMDB32544
FooDB:FDB010421
Export Tariff Code:2907.19.5000
VCF-Online:VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:View
Wikipedia:View
FAO:2,4,6-Trimethylphenol

General Material Information

Preferred name 2,4,6-trimethyl phenol
Trivial Name 2,4,6-Trimethylphenol
Short Description 2,4,6-trimethylphenol
Formula C9 H12 O
CAS Number 527-60-6
FEMA Number 4329
Flavis Number 4.095
ECHA Number 208-419-2
FDA UNII FPZ32614N6
Nikkaji Number J6.671K
Beilstein Number 1859675
MDL MFCD00002235
xLogP3-AA 2.70 (est)
Bio Activity Summary External link
NMR Predictor External link
JECFA Food Flavoring 2013 2,4,6-trimethylphenol
FDA Patent No longer provide for the use of these seven synthetic flavoring substances
FDA Mainterm 527-60-6 ; 2,4,6-TRIMETHYLPHENOL
Synonyms
  • benzene, 2-hydroxy-1,3,5-trimethyl-
  • benzene,1-hydroxy,2,4,6-trimethyl
  • 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxytoluene
  • 1-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethyl benzene
  • 1-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene
  • 2-hydroxymesitylene
  • mesitol
  • mesityl alcohol
  • phenol, 2,4,6-trimethyl-
  • phenol,2,4,6-trimethyl-
  • 1,3,5-trimethyl phenol
  • 2,4,6-trimethyl-phenol
  • 1,3,5-trimethylphenol
  • 2,3,4-trimethylphenol
  • 2,4,6-trimethylphenol
  • 2,4,6-Trimethylphenol
  • 2-Hydroxymesitylene
  • 1-Hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene
  • Hydroxymesitylene
  • 1,3,5-Trimethylphenol
  • NSC 231851
  • NSC 5353
  • NSC 68321

PhysChem Properties

Material listed in food chemical codex No
Molecular weight 136.19383239746
Melting Point 73 to 74°C @ 760 mm Hg
Vapor Pressure 0.1 mmHg @ 25 °C
Flash Point TCC Value 96.67 °C TCC
logP (o/w) 2.73
Shelf life 24 months (or longer if stored properly.)
Storage notes Store in cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light.
Solubility
alcohol Yes
water, 1200 mg/L @ 25 °C (exp) Yes
water No

Organoleptic Properties

Odor Type: Phenolic
phenolic, coffee
General comment At 0.10 % in propylene glycol. mild phenolic coffee grounds
Flavor Type: Phenolic
phenolic, coffee
General comment Phenolic coffee grounds

Occurrences

Safety Information

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
C - Corrosive.
R 34 - Causes burns.
S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children.
S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S 36/37/39 - Wear suitable clothing, gloves and eye/face protection.
S 45 - In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-mouse LD50 10000 mg/kg
Bromatologia i Chemia Toksykologiczna. Vol. 14, Pg. 301, 1981.

intraperitoneal-mouse LD50 > 1000 mg/kg
Journal of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Vol. 2, Pg. 201, 1960.

Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU): 0.0097 (μg/capita/day)
Modified Theoretical Added Maximum Daily Intake (mTAMDI): 420 (μg/person/day)
Threshold of Concern:1800 (μg/person/day)
Structure Class: I
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 23
Click here to view publication 23
average usual ppmaverage maximum ppm
baked goods: 0.100000.50000
beverages(nonalcoholic): 1.000005.00000
beverages(alcoholic): 1.000005.00000
breakfast cereal: --
cheese: 0.010000.05000
chewing gum: --
condiments / relishes: 0.010000.05000
confectionery froastings: 1.000005.00000
egg products: --
fats / oils: --
fish products: 0.010000.05000
frozen dairy: 0.010000.05000
fruit ices: 0.100000.50000
gelatins / puddings: 0.010000.05000
granulated sugar: --
gravies: 0.010000.05000
hard candy: --
imitation dairy: 0.010000.05000
instant coffee / tea: --
jams / jellies: --
meat products: 0.010000.05000
milk products: 0.010000.05000
nut products: --
other grains: --
poultry: 0.010000.05000
processed fruits: 0.010000.05000
processed vegetables: 0.010000.05000
reconstituted vegetables: --
seasonings / flavors: 0.010000.05000
snack foods: 0.010000.05000
soft candy: --
soups: 0.010000.05000
sugar substitutes: --
sweet sauces: 0.010000.05000
Food categories according to Commission Regulation EC No. 1565/2000 (EC, 2000) in FGE.06 (EFSA, 2002a). According to the Industry the "normal" use is defined as the average of reported usages and "maximum use" is defined as the 95th percentile of reported usages (EFSA, 2002i).
Note: mg/kg = 0.001/1000 = 0.000001 = 1/1000000 = ppm.
average usage mg/kgmaximum usage mg/kg
Dairy products, excluding products of category 02.0 (01.0): 0.500002.50000
Fats and oils, and fat emulsions (type water-in-oil) (02.0): 0.200001.00000
Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet (03.0): 0.500002.50000
Processed fruit (04.1): 0.400002.00000
Processed vegetables (incl. mushrooms & fungi, roots & tubers, pulses and legumes), and nuts & seeds (04.2): --
Confectionery (05.0): 1.000005.00000
Chewing gum (05.3): --
Cereals and cereal products, incl. flours & starches from roots & tubers, pulses & legumes, excluding bakery (06.0): 0.200001.00000
Bakery wares (07.0): 2.0000010.00000
Meat and meat products, including poultry and game (08.0): 0.200001.00000
Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (MCE) (09.0): 0.200001.00000
Eggs and egg products (10.0): --
Sweeteners, including honey (11.0): --
Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads, protein products, etc. (12.0): 0.300001.50000
Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (13.0): 0.500002.50000
Non-alcoholic ("soft") beverages, excl. dairy products (14.1): 0.200001.00000
Alcoholic beverages, incl. alcohol-free and low-alcoholic counterparts (14.2): 1.000005.00000
Ready-to-eat savouries (15.0): 2.0000010.00000
Composite foods (e.g. casseroles, meat pies, mincemeat) - foods that could not be placed in categories 01.0 - 15.0 (16.0): 0.400002.00000

Safety references

European Food Safety Athority(EFSA):Flavor usage levels; Subacute, Subchronic, Chronic and Carcinogenicity Studies; Developmental / Reproductive Toxicity Studies; Genotoxicity Studies...

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to Flavouring Group Evaluation 22 (FGE.22): Ring-substituted phenolic substances from chemical groups 21 and 25 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000)
View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 58 (FGE.58) Consideration of phenol derivatives evaluated by JECFA (55th meeting) structurally related to ring substituted phenolic substances evaluated by EFSA in FGE.22 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with Food (AFC)
View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 60 (FGE.60): Consideration of eugenol and related hydroxyallylbenzene derivatives evaluated by JECFA (65th meeting) structurally related to ring- substituted phenolic substances evaluated by EFSA in FGE.22 (2006)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 22, Revision 1 (FGE.22Rev1): Ring-substituted phenolic substances from chemical groups 21 and 25
View page or View pdf

EPI System: View
AIDS Citations:Search
Cancer Citations:Search
Toxicology Citations:Search
EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):527-60-6
EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry
Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :10698
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data
WISER:UN 2430
WGK Germany:2
2,4,6-trimethylphenol
Chemidplus:0000527606
RTECS:OX6590000 for cas# 527-60-6