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.
In the Vinony graph
Vinony's link graph records 33 inbound references to propylparaben, and connects out to ester, water and nature.
Vinony files it under ECHA InfoCard ID from Wikidata, E number from Wikidata and Parabens.
Vinony links it to 17 Wikipedia language editions.
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.