2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol: Properties, Handling & Lab Protocol

2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol is a substituted phenol compound (CAS not confirmed in source material) used as a specialty organic reagent in research applications requiring alkylphenol intermediates or reference standards.

Product Name

2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol

SKU

E693592

Compound Class

Alkylphenol (disubstituted phenol)

Molecular Formula

C9H12O

Molecular Weight

136.19 g/mol

Physical Form

Liquid or low-melting solid (verify with CoA)

Solubility

Soluble in common organic solvents (ethanol, DMSO, acetone); sparingly soluble in water

Overview and Chemical Properties

2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol (SKU: E693592, supplied by Aladdin Scientific) is a disubstituted phenol bearing an ethyl group at the 2-position and a methyl group at the 5-position of the benzene ring. Its molecular formula is C₉H₁₂O with a molecular weight of approximately 136.19 g/mol. Like other alkylphenols, it possesses the characteristic hydroxyl group of the phenol family, which confers hydrogen-bond-donor capability and moderate acidity relative to simple alcohols.

The compound is expected to be a colorless to pale-yellow liquid or low-melting-point solid at ambient temperature; researchers should verify the exact physical state against the certificate of analysis (CoA) supplied with each lot. It is sparingly soluble in water but readily dissolves in polar organic solvents such as ethanol, DMSO, and acetone, as well as in non-polar solvents including dichloromethane and diethyl ether.

Note: Specific physical constants (melting point, boiling point, refractive index, density) are not confirmed in the source material provided. Consult the Aladdin product page or CoA for verified lot-specific data.

Safety and Handling Precautions

As a phenolic compound, 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol should be handled with appropriate care. General precautions applicable to alkylphenols include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile), safety goggles, and a lab coat. Work in a well-ventilated fume hood to avoid inhalation of vapors.
• Skin and Eye Contact: Phenol derivatives can cause skin and eye irritation. In case of contact, flush affected areas immediately with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention if irritation persists.
• Ingestion/Inhalation: Avoid ingestion and inhalation. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific first-aid measures and toxicological data.
• Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations for phenolic chemical waste.

Important: Always consult the product-specific SDS available on the Aladdin Scientific website before use. SDS data supersedes any general guidance provided here.

Storage Conditions

Proper storage of 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol ensures reagent integrity and extends shelf life:

• Temperature: Store at room temperature (15–25 °C) or as specified on the product label and CoA. If the compound is a low-melting solid, refrigerated storage (2–8 °C) may be appropriate to maintain solid form.
• Light: Keep in a tightly sealed, opaque or amber container away from direct sunlight and UV exposure, as phenolic compounds can undergo oxidation and discoloration upon light exposure.
• Atmosphere: Store under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) if long-term storage is required or if the compound shows sensitivity to moisture or oxygen.
• Segregation: Store away from strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and incompatible materials in accordance with the SDS.

Note: Always verify storage requirements against the lot-specific CoA and SDS provided by Aladdin Scientific.

Solution Preparation Protocol

The following general protocol outlines preparation of a stock solution of 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol for research use:

1. Equilibrate to room temperature: Allow the sealed container to equilibrate to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation of moisture onto the compound.
2. Weigh accurately: Using an analytical balance, weigh the required amount of 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol into a clean, dry, tared vessel. Record the exact mass.
3. Select an appropriate solvent: For most biochemical or analytical applications, dissolve in ethanol, DMSO, or acetone. For aqueous applications, prepare a concentrated stock in DMSO and dilute into aqueous buffer to the desired final concentration, keeping the organic co-solvent below levels toxic to the biological system under study (typically ≤0.1% v/v DMSO in cell-based assays).
4. Dissolve: Add the chosen solvent to the weighed compound incrementally. Mix gently using a vortex mixer or magnetic stir bar until fully dissolved. Gentle warming (≤40 °C) may facilitate dissolution if necessary.
5. Filter if required: For analytical applications, filter the solution through a 0.22 µm PTFE syringe filter to remove any particulates.
6. Label and store: Label the stock solution with compound name, SKU (E693592), concentration, solvent, preparation date, and preparer's initials. Store according to the conditions outlined in the Storage section.

Concentration calculation: Use the formula C = m / (MW × V), where m is mass in grams, MW is 136.19 g/mol, and V is volume in liters, to determine molar concentration.

Quality Control and Purity Verification

To confirm the identity and purity of 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol (SKU: E693592) prior to use in critical experiments, the following analytical techniques are recommended:

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Review the lot-specific CoA available from Aladdin Scientific. The CoA typically reports purity (GC or HPLC), appearance, and key physical constants.
• Gas Chromatography (GC): GC with FID detection is commonly used to assess purity of small organic molecules such as alkylphenols. Compare retention time with a certified reference standard.
• NMR Spectroscopy: ¹H and ¹³C NMR confirm structural identity. Expected ¹H NMR features include aromatic proton signals (δ 6.6–7.1 ppm), –OH signal (variable, δ 4–8 ppm), methylene quartet (ethyl –CH₂–, δ ~2.5 ppm), ethyl methyl triplet (δ ~1.1 ppm), and aryl methyl singlet (δ ~2.2 ppm). Exact shifts should be verified against literature or reference spectra.
• Mass Spectrometry (MS): Confirm molecular ion at m/z = 136 consistent with C₉H₁₂O.

Note: Specific NMR chemical shift values cited above are approximate, based on general knowledge of substituted phenol NMR patterns. Verify against authoritative spectral databases (e.g., SDBS) before reporting.

Frequently asked questions

What solvents are suitable for dissolving 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol?

2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol is soluble in common organic solvents including ethanol, DMSO, acetone, dichloromethane, and diethyl ether. It is sparingly soluble in water. For aqueous biological assays, prepare a concentrated DMSO stock and dilute into aqueous buffer, keeping DMSO below 0.1% v/v in cell-based systems.

How should 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol (SKU E693592) be stored to maintain stability?

Store 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol in a tightly sealed, preferably amber or opaque container at room temperature (15–25 °C), away from direct light, heat, and strong oxidizing agents. For extended storage, an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) is recommended. Always confirm specific storage requirements on the Aladdin CoA and SDS for the purchased lot.

What safety precautions are required when handling 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol?

Handle 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol in a well-ventilated fume hood wearing nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and a lab coat. Avoid skin and eye contact, inhalation of vapors, and ingestion. In case of skin or eye contact, flush immediately with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Consult the product SDS on the Aladdin Scientific website for complete hazard and first-aid information.

How can I verify the purity of 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol before use?

Review the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from Aladdin Scientific, which reports purity typically determined by GC or HPLC. For independent verification, gas chromatography with FID detection, NMR spectroscopy (confirming characteristic aromatic and alkyl proton signals), or mass spectrometry (molecular ion m/z = 136) can be employed.

References

1. Aladdin Scientific. Product page: 2-Ethyl-5-methylphenol, SKU E693592. Aladdin Scientific official website.
2. Spectral Database for Organic Compounds (SDBS). National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. NMR and IR reference spectra for substituted phenols.
3. March, J. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 4th ed. Wiley-Interscience, 1992. General properties and reactivity of phenol derivatives.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.