Phenylacetic acid
Agent Name
Phenylacetic acid
CAS Number
103-82-2
Formula
C8-H8-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
2-Phenylacetic acid; Acetic acid, phenyl-; Benzenacetic acid; Benzeneacetic acid; Benzylcarboxylic acid; Kyselina fenyloctova [Czech]; Phenylacetic acid (natural); Phenylethanoic acid; alpha-Toluic acid; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Organic Acids
Description
Shiny white solid with a floral odor; [Hawley] White crystalline solid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Naturally occurs in some essential oils, honeys, and teas; Used to make penicillin G, penicillin derivatives, and its esters; Also used as a fungicide, flavoring agent, lab reagent, and starting material for synthetic perfumes; [HSDB] A metabolite of phenylalanine and may cause some of the neurotoxic effects of maternal phenylketonuria; [REPROTOX]
Comments
An eye and mild skin irritant; [ICSC] A reproductive effector and moderate eye irritant; [RTECS] Emergency medical treatment: irritants; [HSDB] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [WHO JEFCA] An irritant; [MSDSonline]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.0038 mm Hg
NFPA
must be preheated
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: