Methylparaben

Methylparaben

Names
IUPAC name Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Other names Methyl paraben; Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate; Methyl parahydroxybenzoate; Nipagin M; E number E218; Tegosept; Mycocten
Identifiers
CAS Number	99-76-3 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:31835 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL325372 Y
ChemSpider	7176 Y
IUPHAR/BPS	6273
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
KEGG	D01400 Y
PubChem	7456
UNII	A2I8C7HI9T Y
InChI InChI=1S/C8H8O3/c1-11-8(10)6-2-4-7(9)5-3-6/h2-5,9H,1H3 Y Key: LXCFILQKKLGQFO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C8H8O3/c1-11-8(10)6-2-4-7(9)5-3-6/h2-5,9H,1H3 Key: LXCFILQKKLGQFO-UHFFFAOYAH
SMILES COC(=O)c1ccc(cc1)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H8O3
Molar mass	152.15 g·mol−1
UV-vis (λmax)	255 nm (methanol)
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Related compounds
Related Parabens	Ethylparaben Propylparaben Butylparaben
Related compounds	Methyl salicylate (ortho isomer)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

UV-visible spectrum of methylparaben

Methylparaben, also methyl paraben, one of the parabens, is a preservative with the chemical formula CH₃(C₆H₄(OH)COO). It is the methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.

Natural occurrences

Methylparaben serves as a pheromone for a variety of insects and is a component of queen mandibular pheromone. Some plants produce methylparaben, example thale cress.

Uses

Methylparaben is an anti-fungal agent often used in a variety of cosmetics and personal-care products. It is also used as a food preservative and has the E number E218.

Methylparaben is commonly used as a fungicide in Drosophila food media. To Drosophila, methylparaben is toxic at higher concentrations, has an estrogenic effect, and slows the growth rate in the larval and pupal stages at lower concentrations.

Safety

There is controversy about whether methylparaben or propylparabens are harmful at concentrations typically used in body care or cosmetics. Methylparaben and propylparaben are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food and cosmetic antibacterial preservation. Methylparaben is readily metabolized by common soil bacteria, making it completely biodegradable.

Methylparaben is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin. It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rapidly excreted in urine without accumulating in the body. Acute toxicity studies have shown that methylparaben is practically non-toxic by both oral and parenteral administration in animals. In a population with normal skin, methylparaben is practically non-irritating and non-sensitizing; however, allergic reactions to ingested parabens have been reported.

Studies indicate that methylparaben applied on the skin may react with UVB, leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage.

External links

• Methylparaben at Hazardous Substances Data Bank
• Methylparaben at Household Products Database