Chloroxylenol

Chloroxylenol

Systematic (IUPAC) name

4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol

Identifiers CAS number ATC code D08 PubChem Chemical data Formula

C

8

H

9

Cl

O

  Mol. mass 156.609 Pharmacokinetic data Bioavailability  ? Metabolism  ? Half life  ? Excretion  ? Therapeutic considerations Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status Routes  ?

Chloroxylenol (4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol) is a chemical compound with the formula C8H9ClO and CAS number 88-04-0. It is commonly used in antibacterial soaps such as Dettol; in agar patch studies, it has been found to kill a wide variety of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and the superbug MRSA, within 15 seconds. Its antibacterial action is due to disruption of cell membrane potentials, blocking production of adenosine triphosphate (effectively starving the cells).

Chloroxylenol is not significantly toxic to humans and other mammals but is toxic to fish. It is a mild skin irritant and may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. In a 125 ml bottle of Dettol, there is usually 48 mg/mL (4.8% W/V) of Chloroxylenol in the solution.