Title: Thymol
CAS Registry Number: 89-83-8
CAS Name: 5-Methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)phenol
Synonyms: 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-1-phenol; 1-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-isopropylbenzene; 3-
p-cymenol; 3-hydroxy-
p-cymene; thyme camphor;
m-thymol
Molecular Formula: C10H14O
Molecular Weight: 150.22
Percent Composition: C 79.95%, H 9.39%, O 10.65%
Literature References: Isolated by Neumann in 1719. Obtained from the essential oil of
Thymus vulgaris L. and
Monarda punctata L.,
Labiatae: Arppe,
Ann. 58, 41 (1846); Meyer,
Pharm. Ztg. 81, 192, 205 (1936). Also occurs in other volatile oils. Produced synthetically from
p-cymene, piperitone, or
m-cresol: Austerweil,
GB 221227 (1923); Jennen, Verdroncken,
Compt. Rend. 245, 183 (1957); Bottoms,
US 2840616 (1958 to Natl. Cylinder Gas). Bactericidal activity: J. M. Schaffer, F. W. Tilley,
J. Bacteriol. 14, 259 (1927). Mold elimination on surfaces: O. W. Richards, K. J. Hawley,
J. Chem. Educ. 16, 6 (1939). In vitro antifungal activity: H. B. Myers,
J. Am. Med. Assoc. 89, 1834 (1927). Effectiveness as antifungal preservative: M. Dersarkissian, M. Goodberry:
Stud. Conserv. 25, 28 (1980). Use as clinical preservative: T. Z. Liu,
Clin. Chem. 25, 336 (1979); T. Z. Liu
et al., ibid. 27, 1144 (1981). Toxicity: P. M. Jenner
et al., Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 2, 327 (1964).
Properties: Crystals, mp 51.5°. bp ~233°. Appreciably volatile at 100°; volatilizes in water vapors. Characteristic odor; pungent, somewhat caustic taste. d425 0.9699.
nD20 1.5227;
nD25 1.5204. One gram dissolves in ~1000 ml water, 1 ml alcohol, 0.7 ml chloroform, 1.5 ml ether, 1.7 ml olive oil at 25°. Sol in glacial acetic acid, oils, fixed alkali hydroxides. LD50 orally in rats: 980 mg/kg (Jenner).
Incompat: Acetanilide, antipyrine, camphor, monobromated camphor, chloral hydrate, menthol, quinine sulfate, salol, urethane, spirit nitrous ether; in triturations because of liquefaction.
Melting point: mp 51.5°
Boiling point: bp ~233°
Index of refraction: nD20 1.5227;
nD25 1.5204
Density: d425 0.9699
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: 980 mg/kg (Jenner)
Derivative Type: Acetate
CAS Registry Number: 528-79-0
Synonyms: Acetylthymol; thymyl acetate
Molecular Formula: C12H16O2
Molecular Weight: 192.25
Percent Composition: C 74.97%, H 8.39%, O 16.64%
Properties: Yellowish, oily liq; thymol odor. d0 1.009. bp 243.5-245.5°. Practically insol in water. Miscible with alcohol, benzene chloroform, ether.
Boiling point: bp 243.5-245.5°
Density: d0 1.009
Derivative Type: Carbonate
CAS Registry Number: 552-93-2
Molecular Formula: C21H26O3
Molecular Weight: 326.43
Percent Composition: C 77.27%, H 8.03%, O 14.70%
Properties: White crystals; thymol odor; volatilizes with steam. mp 49°. Insol in water, acids, alkalies. Sol in hot alcohol, chloroform, ether, carbon tetrachloride.
Melting point: mp 49°
CAUTION: Mild irritant.
Use: For destroying mold; preserving documents, art objects and urine. Stabilizer (antioxidant) for trichloroethylene, halothane.
Therap-Cat: Antiseptic (topical); anthelmintic (Nematodes).
Therap-Cat-Vet: Has been used as anthelmintic, and as an antiseptic, external and internal.
Keywords: Anthelmintic (Nematodes).
