Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)
propylparaben
Sign in to saveAlso known as n-Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, propyl paraben, p-Hydroxybenzoic propyl ester, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester, p-Hydroxypropyl benzoate, Propyl parahydroxybenzoate, Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester
Propylparaben (also spelled propyl paraben) is the n-propyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. It occurs as a natural substance found in many plants and some insects. Additionally, it can be manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods. It is a member of the class of parabens and can be used as a preservative in many water-based cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and bath products. As a food additive, it has the E number E216.
Chemical data
- Formula
- C10H12O3
- Molecular weight
- 180.2 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
- SMILES
- CCCOC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)O
- InChIKey
- QELSKZZBTMNZEB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- XLogP
- 3
- Polar surface area
- 46.5 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 1
- H-bond acceptors
- 3
- Formal charge
- 0
via PubChem
Drug data · ChEMBL
- Molecule type
- Small molecule
via ChEMBL · EBI
Research
881 papers- Transgenerational inheritance of diminished ovarian reserve triggered by prenatal propylparaben exposure in mice.Nature communications · 2025
- Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products.International journal of toxicology · 2008
- Methylparaben and propylparaben promote bladder cancer invasion via MMP2 and PPARG modulation.Ecotoxicology and environmental safety · 2025
- Propylparaben Induces Reproductive Toxicity in Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cells via Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Pathways.Environment & health (Washington, D.C.) · 2024
- Propylparaben negatively impacts IN VITRO preimplantation mouse embryo development.Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) · 2025
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
Show 7 more facts
- melting point
- 96.5
- chemical formula
- C₁₀H₁₂O₃
- found in taxon
- Microtropis fokienensis
- Commons category
- Propylparaben
- canonical SMILES
- CCCOC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)O
- subject has role
- allergen
- MCN code
- 2918.29.23
via Wikidata · CC0
~7 min read
Encyclopedic overview
8 sectionsContents
- Applications
- Food
- Cosmetic
- Pharmaceutical
- Chemical properties
- Synthesis
- Safety
- References
Propylparaben (also spelled propyl paraben) is the n-propyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. It occurs as a natural substance found in many plants and some insects. Additionally, it can be manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods. It is a member of the class of parabens and can be used as a preservative in many water-based cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and bath products. As a food additive, it has the E number E216.
'Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate', the sodium salt of propylparaben, a compound with formula Na(C3H7(C6H4COO)O), is used similarly as a food additive and as an anti-fungal preservation agent. Its E number is E217.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “propylparaben” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.