2-Phenylphenol

• E 231
• 2-hydroxybiphenyl
• Orthophenylphenol

White to pink solid with phenolartigem odor

Fixed

1.26 g · cm -3

56-58 ° C

286 ° C

40 Pa ( 20 ° C)

10.01 (25 ° C)

Very poor in water ( 0.7 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)

Attention

Not yet classified

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

2-phenylphenol ( ortho also ) is an organic compound. It consists of a phenol, which carries a phenyl radical in the ortho position.

Production and representation

2-phenylphenol is obtained from distilling over heavy grades of coal tar.

Properties

2-phenylphenol is a colorless, crystalline solid with only a faint odor. It is only very slightly soluble in water.

Use

2-phenylphenol is approved as a food additive E231 (or E232 as sodium salt ) for the preservation of citrus fruit with a limit value of 12 mg / kg. However, this approval is controversial because of the high risk potential through this connection.

Pursuant to Directive 2003/114/EC part 2-phenylphenol ( sodium orthophenylphenol and orthophenylphenate ) will no longer be food additives, but is subject to the legal regulations on plant protection products. For this, however, the preservative must first be approved as a pesticide. Since sodium orthophenylphenolate may continue to be used for treating the surfaces of citrus and consumers need to be informed, there will also be in the future a labeling of the substance. The legal requirements for this designation, however, have neither adopted by the European Commission or by the Member States of the European Union. Until this legal gap closed, 2- phenylphenol remains as a food additive E231 and E232 approved and marked accordingly.

In addition, it serves as a dyeing accelerator in the chemical fiber coloring and for the preparation of disinfectants.