Chlorobutanol is a chlorinated organic compound recognized for its antimicrobial and preservative properties. It is used as a preservative ingredient in suitable formulation systems and is identified by the INCI name CHLOROBUTANOL and CAS Number 57-15-8 for the anhydrous form.
Chemically, anhydrous Chlorobutanol is 1,1,1-Trichloro-2-methylpropan-2-ol, with the molecular formula C₄H₇Cl₃O and molecular weight 177.46 g/mol. Chlorobutanol may also occur as a hemihydrate, which has a different molecular weight and CAS number. The International Pharmacopoeia specifically states that the container should indicate whether the material is anhydrous or hemihydrate.
As a Chlorobutanol cosmetic ingredient, it is relevant to manufacturers evaluating preservative raw materials for suitable personal-care formulations. COSMILE Europe includes CHLOROBUTANOL within its preservative ingredient information.
For companies searching for a Chlorobutanol Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Chlorobutanol Cosmetic Grade, Chlorobutanol Preservative, Chlorobutanol Antimicrobial Ingredient, or Chlorobutanol Bulk Ingredient, the physical form, hydration state, assay, water content, analytical method and regulatory requirements should all be considered.
Chlorobutanol is a chlorinated alcohol belonging to the chlorinated tertiary alcohol class. It is chemically known as 1,1,1-Trichloro-2-methylpropan-2-ol.
The ingredient has two technically important forms:
These differences are important when preparing a commercial specification because the hydration state directly affects molecular weight and water content.
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Chlorobutanol |
| INCI Name | CHLOROBUTANOL |
| Primary CAS Number | 57-15-8 |
| Alternate CAS / Hemihydrate | 6001-64-5 |
| EC Number | 200-317-6 |
| Anhydrous Formula | C₄H₇Cl₃O |
| Anhydrous Molecular Weight | 177.46 g/mol |
| Hemihydrate Formula | C₄H₇Cl₃O·½H₂O |
| Hemihydrate Molecular Weight | 186.46 g/mol |
| Chemical Name | 1,1,1-Trichloro-2-methylpropan-2-ol |
| Chemical Class | Chlorinated Tertiary Alcohol |
| Cosmetic Function | Preservative / Antimicrobial |
| Physical Form | Colourless crystals or white crystalline powder |
The International Pharmacopoeia describes Chlorobutanol as colourless crystals or a white crystalline powder with a characteristic camphoraceous odour.
Preservatives are used in cosmetic formulations to help protect products from microbial spoilage. This is particularly important for products containing water or other ingredients that can support microbial growth. COSMILE Europe explains that cosmetic preservation systems can contain one or more preservatives selected to address different microorganisms.
Chlorobutanol cosmetic ingredient is therefore relevant to preservation-focused raw-material searches and formulation development.
When evaluating Chlorobutanol, manufacturers should consider the complete preservation system rather than the raw material alone.
Important formulation variables include:
Chlorobutanol may be evaluated for suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations where preservative functionality is required.
Potential areas include:
The final application and concentration must be determined according to the finished formulation and applicable regulations in the target market.
Chlorobutanol has a distinctive physical profile that is important for raw-material handling and formulation development.
The International Pharmacopoeia describes it as slightly soluble in water, very soluble in ethanol, soluble in glycerol and soluble in ether.
The anhydrous material melts at approximately 95°C, while the hemihydrate melts at approximately 77°C, when determined without previous drying.
Because the physical properties differ between anhydrous and hemihydrate forms, the actual supplied form should be clearly identified in the product specification and Certificate of Analysis.
Chlorobutanol is described as slightly soluble in water and very soluble in ethanol. The International Pharmacopoeia also reports solubility in glycerol and ether.
This makes solvent selection an important consideration during formulation development.
Actual dissolution should be evaluated under the intended formulation conditions because temperature, concentration, solvent system and the presence of other ingredients may affect the final formulation.
For professional raw-material procurement, the hydration state of Chlorobutanol is particularly important.
USP-NF defines Chlorobutanol as anhydrous or containing no more than one-half molecule of water of hydration and specifies 98.0–100.5% Chlorobutanol calculated on the anhydrous basis.
The International Pharmacopoeia 2025 specifies 98.0–101.0%, calculated with reference to the anhydrous substance.
This difference demonstrates why the CMS should clearly identify which pharmacopoeial specification is being referenced rather than combining limits from different standards.
Water content depends strongly on the physical form.
The International Pharmacopoeia specifies:
Therefore, do not use a single water specification for both forms.
For the SDP product page, the actual form supplied should be confirmed before publishing a numerical water specification.
Important quality-control parameters may include:
The International Pharmacopoeia specifies sulfated ash NMT 1.0 mg/g, equivalent to NMT 0.10%, and an acidity test with a specified titration limit.
For businesses searching for a Chlorobutanol Manufacturer in India, raw-material identity, hydration state, assay, water content, analytical documentation and regulatory suitability are important procurement considerations.
Swapnroop Drugs & Pharmaceuticals provides technical product information for manufacturers, formulation teams, R&D professionals and bulk ingredient buyers evaluating cosmetic and personal-care raw materials.
Chlorobutanol can be evaluated for bulk ingredient requirements according to the required grade, physical form, specification, packaging and intended application.
Bulk procurement of Chlorobutanol cosmetic ingredient may require evaluation of:
This information supports professional raw-material qualification and formulation development.
Chlorobutanol is listed as a permitted cosmetic preservative under EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V, entry 11. The available regulatory record specifies a maximum concentration of 0.5%, requires the warning “Contains Chlorobutanol”, and states that it is not to be used in aerosol dispensers (sprays).
The 0.5% value is a finished cosmetic product concentration, not a raw-material assay specification.
Therefore:
Raw-material assay ≠ finished-product permitted concentration
For example, a pharmacopoeial raw material can have an assay around 98–101%, while the amount permitted in a finished cosmetic product is subject to a separate regulatory limit.
Manufacturers should verify the current requirements applicable to the destination market and specific cosmetic product.
A finished cosmetic product may require a preservation system designed around its particular formulation.
When evaluating Chlorobutanol, formulators can consider:
Raw Material Quality → Hydration State → Formulation Compatibility → Concentration → pH → Packaging → Stability → Microbiological Testing
This formulation-development process helps establish whether the selected preservative ingredient is appropriate for the intended product.
Chlorobutanol is positioned for suitable cosmetic and personal-care ingredient requirements.
CAS number, hydration state, molecular properties and relevant quality parameters support professional raw-material evaluation.
The ingredient can be evaluated for B2B and bulk procurement according to the required specification.
Appropriate technical documentation and batch information can support raw-material qualification.
Information on solubility, physical form and preservative functionality helps R&D and formulation teams evaluate the ingredient.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0–100.5% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.10% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 10 ppm |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |