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Synthetic aroma chemicals

O-Cresol

Also known as 2-Methylphenol, Orthocresol, 2-hydroxytoluene

CAS 95-48-7Formula C7H8OMolar mass 108.14 g/molEC 202-423-8
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive, Acute toxicity (severe) 80 suppliers listed
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O-Cresol chemical structure, C7H8O, CAS 95-48-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Crystals in liquid becoming dark with age and exposure to light and air
Melting point
31 °C
Boiling point
191 °C
Density
1.05 g/cm³
Flash point
81 °C
HS code
290712
Category
Synthetic aroma chemicals
UN number
UN 2076
Illustrative photo, assorted laboratory chemical bottles and jars on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is O-Cresol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

O-cresol is a cresol that is phenol substituted by a methyl group at position 2. It is a minor urinary metabolite of toluene. It has a role as a human xenobiotic metabolite.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2-methylphenol
CAS number
95-48-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 25134-02-5
EC number
202-423-8
Molecular formula
C7H8O
UNII
YW84DH5I7U
MDL number
MFCD00002226
INCI name
O-CRESOL
InChIKey
QWVGKYWNOKOFNN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C7H8O/c1-6-4-2-3-5-7(6)8/h2-5,8H,1H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CC1=CC=CC=C1O

Synonyms

  • 2-Methylphenol
  • Orthocresol
  • 2-hydroxytoluene
  • 2-Cresol
  • o-methylphenol
  • Phenol, 2-methyl-
  • o-Cresylic acid
  • o-Toluol
  • o-Oxytoluene
  • o-Hydroxytoluene
  • ortho-cresol
  • 1-Hydroxy-2-methylbenzene
  • o-Methylphenylol
  • o-Kresol
  • 2-methyl phenol
  • 2-Hydroxy-1-methylbenzene
  • 1-Methyl-2-hydroxybenzene
  • ortho-Hydroxytoluene
  • Cresol, ortho-
  • Cresol, o-
  • 2-methyl-phenol
  • Cresol, o-isomer
  • Toluene,2-hydroxy (ortho-cresol)
  • o-Cresol [UN2076] [Poison, Corrosive]
  • 2-Methylphenol, o-Cresol
Show all 33 synonyms
  • hydroxy toluene
  • ortho cresol
  • 2-methyiphenol
  • Carvacrol derivative, 9
  • o-Cresol, >=99%
  • 2-Methylphenol (o-cresol)
  • ortho-cresol,2-methylphenol
  • o-Cresol, analytical standard

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Crystals in liquid becoming dark with age and exposure to light and airexp.
Odour
Phenolic odorexp.
Melting point
31 °Cexp.
Boiling point
191 °Cexp.
Density
1.05 g/cm³exp.
Flash point
81 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
599 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 2.59 × 10⁺⁴ mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
0.18 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
108.14 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
108.0575 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
1.7calc.
Topological polar surface area
20.23 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
8calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.14calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
230NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H301Toxic if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Precautionary statements (18)
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 2076
Transport hazard class
6.1
Packing group
II

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

O-Cresol suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 80 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

80 suppliers in 14 countries

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O-Cresol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

For making synthetic resins, in disinfectants and fumigants, as industrial solvent.

The majority of 2-methylphenol is used in the production of novolak phenolic resins. High purity novolaks based on 2-methylphenol are used in photoresist applications. Novolaks based on 2-methylphenol are also epoxidized with epichlorohydrin, yielding epoxy resins after dehydrohalogenation, which are used as encapsulating resins in the electronics industry.

Read more

Other uses of 2-methylphenol include its conversion to a dinitro compound, 4,6-dinitro-2-methylphenol (DNOC), which is used as a herbicide.

Chemical intermediate for phenolic and epoxy cresol-novolac resins, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) and other herbicides (eg, MCPA, MCPB, & MCPP), dyes (eg, sulfur and chromium dyes), 2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol, magnet wire coatings (as cresylic acid), phosphate esters (as cresol mixture), and for pharmaceuticals (eg, mephenesin), solvent, disinfectant (as mixed cresols), fiber treatment agent (as cresols/cresylic acid), tanning agent (as cresols/cresylic acid), metal degreasing agent (as cresols/cresylic acid).

O-Cresol has been used in ... explosive, petroleum, photographic, paint, and agricultural industries.

Industrial uses: Other, Solvent, Fuel agents, Fuel, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Monomers, Surfactant (surface active agent), Catalyst.

Consumer uses: Solvent, Other, Cleaning agent, Processing aids, specific to petroleum production.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name O-CRESOL(antimicrobial, perfuming)

Roles

  • animal metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • human metabolite
  • human xenobiotic metabolite
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • xenobiotic metabolite

Functional uses

  • Biocide
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Solvent

Cosmetic functions

  • Antimicrobial
  • Perfuming

How it is made

Produced synthetically by the gas phase alkylation of phenol with methanol using modified alumina catalysis or it may be recovered from naturally occurring petroleum streams and coal tars. Most is produced synthetically. Reaction of phenol with methanol using modified zeolite catalysts is a concerted dehydration of the methanol and alkylation of the aromatic ring.

Most nonsynthetic cresol used in industry is derived from petroleum or coal tar acids ... Coal tar acids are obtained from coke oven by-products, gas-retort oven tars and distilled tar by-products.

Read more

The initial fractionation of petroleum or coal tar acids yields a phenolic mixture composed mainly of cresol, phenol, and xylenols. Pure o-cresol can be obtained by further distillation of this mixture ...

O-Cresol is a 2-methyl derivative of phenol and is prepared from o-toluic acid or obtained from coal tar or petroleum. Crude cresol is obtained by distilling "gray phenic acid" at a temperature of 180 to 201 °C. o-Cresol may be separated from the crude or purified mixture by repeated fractional distillation in vacuo. It can also be prepared synthetically by diazotization of the specific toluidine, or by fusion of the corresponding toluenesulfonic acid with sodium hydroxide.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 604-004-00-9[2]

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code O-Cresol is traded under.

HS 2907.12Indicative HS code

Cresols and their salts

World exports in 2024
$249M
+21.8% vs 2023, imports $185M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Italy23.9%
  2. Germany23.2%
  3. India * partner reported14.9%
Top importers
  1. United Kingdom21.3%
  2. India * partner reported14.2%
  3. Germany13.4%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for O-Cresol is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about O-Cresol, based on the data on this page

What is O-Cresol?

O-cresol is a cresol that is phenol substituted by a methyl group at position 2. It is a minor urinary metabolite of toluene. It has a role as a human xenobiotic metabolite.

What is the CAS number of O-Cresol?

The CAS registry number of O-Cresol is 95-48-7. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 25134-02-5.

What is the molecular formula and weight of O-Cresol?

The molecular formula of O-Cresol is C7H8O and its molar mass is 108.14 g/mol.

What is O-Cresol used for?

For making synthetic resins, in disinfectants and fumigants, as industrial solvent. The majority of 2-methylphenol is used in the production of novolak phenolic resins. High purity novolaks based on 2-methylphenol are used in photoresist applications.

Is O-Cresol hazardous?

O-Cresol carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, causes severe skin burns and eye damage. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of O-Cresol?

O-Cresol is usually classified under HS code 290712 (Cresols and their salts). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy O-Cresol?

CompoundList lists 80 suppliers of O-Cresol in China, United States, India, Czech Republic and 10 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy O-Cresol in India?

12 suppliers in India list O-Cresol on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of O-Cresol?

Suppliers quote O-Cresol on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle O-Cresol

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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