2,2′,4,4′-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone (CAS 131-55-5) — Citrus N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient

Citrus · Floral

2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone

CAS 131-55-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
N/A
IFRA
Professional use
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone?

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone is a synthetic chemical primarily used in industrial applications such as UV stabilizers for plastics and coatings. While not commonly found in consumer fragrances, it may appear in some specialty formulations. This ingredient serves functional purposes rather than olfactory ones, acting as a protective agent against light degradation rather than contributing to scent profiles.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Industrial chemical with limited fragrance applications
Not recommended for direct skin contact in cosmetic formulations
CAS
131-55-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone Smell Like?

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone is not typically used for its odor characteristics in perfumery. As an industrial UV stabilizer, it lacks the complex scent profile of traditional fragrance ingredients. In pure form, it may present faint phenolic or chemical notes, but these are not considered desirable in fragrance compositions.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone

SMILES: OC1=CC(O)=C(C=C1)C(=O)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone belongs to the benzophenone class of compounds, characterized by two benzene rings connected by a carbonyl group. The four hydroxyl groups make it highly polar and water-soluble compared to other benzophenone derivatives. It is synthesized through Friedel-Crafts acylation of resorcinol followed by hydroxylation. The multiple phenolic groups allow for strong UV absorption, making it valuable as a photostabilizer rather than a fragrance component.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Melting Point198-200 °C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
N/A
Volatility
N/A
Blending
N/A
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial Coatings0.1-0.5%Up to 1%UV stabilizer
Plastic Stabilization0.2-0.8%Up to 2%Light protection additive

Classic Accords

Tip: Not recommended for use in perfumery due to functional rather than olfactory properties.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Benzophenone-3 CAS 131-57-7

More commonly used UV filter with better safety profile for cosmetic applications.

2
Octocrylene CAS 6197-30-4

Photostabilizer with broader compatibility in suncare formulations.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not listed in IFRA standards due to non-fragrance applications.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation H335 May cause respiratory irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM for fragrance use.

Sustainability

As an industrial chemical, 2,2′,4,4′-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone is produced through synthetic routes with standard petrochemical feedstocks. Its environmental impact is primarily associated with manufacturing processes rather than end-use applications. Proper disposal procedures should be followed to prevent aquatic contamination due to phenolic structure.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 131-55-5

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight246.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.4🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point491 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-2.498💻 Calculated
    SMILESC1=CC(=C(C=C1O)O)C(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2)O)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Functional Groupsketonephenolaromatic💻 RDKit
    Data Sources & Attribution
    Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID5041306

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 246.218 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.21 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 491 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 200.965 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 289.3 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.718 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 161.268 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.567 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 2.556 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 2.049 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 9.38 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.036 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 26.301 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 83.135 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 97.99 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 4 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 5 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 63.572 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 25.202 Å^3📊 OPERA

    Data Sources:

    🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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