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A deep technical breakdown of 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol, its chemical stability, mechanism of cell wall disruption, and broad-spectrum microbial control.
p-Chloro-m-xylenol (also known as 4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol or PCMX; CAS No: 88-04-0; EINECS: 201-793-7) is a halogenated substituted phenol compound. Its molecular formula is C8H9ClO with a molecular weight of 156.61 g/mol. Featuring a substituted chlorine atom at the para-position relative to the hydroxyl group and two methyl groups at the meta-positions, PCMX exhibits exceptional stability against oxidation, light decomposition, and thermal degradation.
PCMX operates through a dual biocidal pathway targeting microbial cell membranes:
It maintains high biocidal efficacy across Gram-positive bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger), and envelope viruses.
| Property / Quality Parameter | Industrial Grade Specification | Pharmaceutical / Cosmetic Grade Standard | Test Method / Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Off-white to white crystalline powder/flakes | Pure white crystalline powder | Visual Inspection |
| Active Assay (PCMX Content) | ≥ 98.5% | ≥ 99.5% (Typically 99.8%) | Gas Chromatography / HPLC |
| Melting Point Range | 114.0 °C – 116.0 °C | 114.5 °C – 116.0 °C | USP / EP Melting Apparatus |
| Tetrachlorvinphos / Related Chlorophenols | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.1% (Single Impurity < 0.05%) | High Performance Liquid Chromatography |
| Free Chlorine Content | ≤ 10 ppm | ≤ 5 ppm | Potentiometric Titration |
| Iron (Fe) Impurity | ≤ 20 ppm | ≤ 10 ppm | Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry |
| Water Content (Loss on Drying) | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.2% | Karl Fischer / Drying at 105°C |
| Residue on Ignition (Ash) | ≤ 0.1% | ≤ 0.05% | Gravimetric Muffle Furnace (600°C) |
How Modern Chinese Factories are Transitioning from Traditional Batch Chlorination to Continuous Microchannel Catalytic Synthesis.
Traditional production utilized sulfuryl chloride ($SO_2Cl_2$) or direct gaseous $Cl_2$ in batch reactors, often creating unwanted isomers (2-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol and 6-chloro isomers). Next-generation Chinese manufacturing leverages custom Lewis acid catalyst systems (modified $FeCl_3$ or metal-organic framework complexes) that achieve up to 99.2% regioselectivity for the 4-position chlorination of 3,5-dimethylphenol (m-xylenol).
Leading suppliers in Jinan Chemical Park have commercialized continuous flow microchannel reactors. By reducing heat transfer distance to micron scales, the exothermic chlorination reaction is tightly regulated. This completely eliminates localized overheating, prevents oxidative side-reactions, reduces chlorinated byproduct impurities to near-zero levels, and significantly enhances process safety.
Addressing stringent global environmental standards, modern PCMX refining avoids hazardous organic extraction solvents. Advanced crystallization protocols utilize eco-friendly aqueous-alcohol recrystallization cascades coupled with automated vacuum filtration. This yields pure white crystals with negligible residual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and low odor profiles favored by personal care formulators.
Comprehensive guidance on solubilization techniques, formulation system design, and industry-specific deployment of PCMX.
PCMX is the primary active ingredient in classic household antiseptic liquids (e.g., Dettol-type pine oil emulsions). Because PCMX is sparingly soluble in water (approx. 0.03% w/v at 20°C), solubilization requires a surfactant-solvent system.
In medical settings, PCMX is formulated into surgical hand scrubs (1.0% to 3.0%), preoperative skin antiseptics, and hard surface disinfectants for medical equipment.
In cosmetic formulations, PCMX acts as a preservative and active antimicrobial agent. It is widely used in antibacterial bar soaps (0.5% - 1.0%), liquid body washes, and anti-dandruff shampoos.
Synergistic Combinations: When paired with Zinc Pyrithione or Climbazole in scalp care, PCMX targets Malassezia globosa, effectively mitigating dandruff and scalp seborrheic dermatitis without causing keratin damage.
Beyond human hygiene, PCMX serves as a durable preservative across demanding industrial sectors:
How JIMPOCHEM leverages Shandong's chemical industrial cluster, integrated raw materials, and smart logistics to guarantee unbroken global supply.
Headquartered in Jinan City Chemical Park, Shandong Province, JIMPOCHEM is situated at the epicenter of China’s petrochemical hub. Direct pipeline integration with m-xylenol and chlorine suppliers eliminates feedstock bottlenecks, shielding international buyers from geopolitical price volatility and ensuring 100% stable raw material pricing.
Our state-of-the-art production complex utilizes Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for fully automated reaction control, temperature regulation, and crystallization timing. Every lot undergoes automated digital quality tracking, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency with purity metrics routinely reaching ≥99.8%.
In alignment with China’s "Dual-Carbon" strategy, our facilities feature multi-stage waste gas absorption systems ($HCl$ recovery to produce commercial hydrochloric acid) and zero-discharge wastewater recycling. Purchasing from JIMPOCHEM ensures your supply chain adheres to international ESG and sustainability mandates.
Seamless international regulatory support to expedite product registrations in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific markets.
Our PCMX product line is fully aligned with the European Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR Regulation No 528/2012) for Product Types 1, 2, and 4 (Human hygiene, disinfectants, food area biocides). Full EU REACH registration dossiers are available to streamline compliance for European importers.
For North American distributors, JIMPOCHEM provides comprehensive technical packages supporting US EPA registration for hard surface biocides. Additionally, our high-purity PCMX meets USP monograph standards for Over-The-Counter (OTC) topical antiseptic hand washes and wound cleansers.
JIMPOCHEM operates under certified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems. Every shipment is delivered with full Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS in multi-language formats), and batch traceability codes.
Integrating Research, Production, Global Sales, and One-Stop Procurement Solutions since 2010.
JIMPOCHEM CO., LTD was established in 2010 and is headquartered in the Chemical Industry Park of Jinan City, Shandong Province. Spanning an area of over 500 acres, the company is a professional chemical raw material manufacturer integrating research and development, production, sales, and specialized technical services. Our core focus centers on high-end fine chemicals, biocides, active pharmaceutical intermediates, and cosmetic raw materials.
Our core engineering team comprises chemical industry veterans with over a decade of hands-on expertise. We do not merely supply raw materials—we partner with our clients to offer formulation optimization, customized particle sizing, specialized solvent blending, and agile supply chain logistics tailored to international market dynamics.
Expert answers to critical technical, chemical compatibility, and procurement questions regarding p-Chloro-m-xylenol (PCMX).
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Whether you require high-purity PCMX (CAS 88-04-0) for medical hand scrubs, custom solubilized biocide blends, or full REACH/EPA regulatory dossiers, JIMPOCHEM’s technical experts are ready to accelerate your manufacturing capabilities.
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