DCMX - Dichloroxylenol

1. Product Information

Product Name 2,4-Dichloro-3,5-dimethylphenol

Common Name DCMX / Dichloroxylenol

IUPAC Name 2,4-Dichloro-3,5-dimethylphenol

Synonyms Dichloroxylenol; DCMX

Molecular Formula C₈H₈Cl₂O

Molecular Weight 191.05 g/mol

CAS Number 133-53-9

EC Number 205-109-9

2. Product Characteristics

Property	Specification
Appearance	Off-white to pale yellow needle-like crystals or crystalline powder with characteristic phenolic odor
Antimicrobial Spectrum	Broad-spectrum; highly effective against molds; strong efficacy against common pathogenic bacteria
Safety Profile	Low toxicity, non-irritating; negative in skin irritation tests
Stability	Phenolic structure stable under normal conditions; volatile
Solubility	Highly soluble in alcohols, ethers, ketones, and alkaline solutions

Physical & Chemical Data:

Boiling Point: 250°C (101 kPa) / 269°C (760 mmHg)
Melting Point: 95-96°C (sublimes)
Flash Point: 134°C
Density: 1.323 g/cm³
Solubility (20°C): Water 0.2 g/L, Benzene 140 g/L, Toluene 150 g/L, Acetone 730 g/L

3. Quality Specifications

Parameter	Specification	Test Method
Appearance	White to pale yellow flaky crystals or agglomerates	Visual
Odor	Characteristic phenolic odor	Organoleptic
Purity (GC)	≥98.0% (Technical) / ≥99.0% (Pharma)	GC (Area Normalization)
Melting Range	92°C - 96°C	Capillary Method
Moisture (Karl Fischer)	≤0.5%	KF Titration
Residue on Ignition	≤0.5%	Gravimetric
Iron (Fe)	≤80 ppm (Tech) / ≤50 ppm (Pharma)	AAS
Solution Clarity	Clear and transparent, free of particulates	Visual
Heavy Metals (Total)	≤0.001%	Colorimetric
Loss on Drying	≤0.1%	Gravimetric
Identification	IR spectrum matches reference standard	FTIR

Note: Pharmaceutical grade meets stricter specifications. Custom grades available upon request.

4. Antimicrobial Activity (MIC Values)

Microorganism	MIC (mg/L)	Microorganism	MIC (mg/L)
Aspergillus niger	200	Aspergillus terreus	160
Aspergillus versicolor	180	Aureobasidium pullulans	80
Penicillium citrinum	180	Bacillus subtilis	200
Paecilomyces variotii	150	Bacillus megaterium	180
Cladosporium cladosporioides	120	Escherichia coli	100
Chaetomium globosum	80	Pseudomonas fluorescens	120
Aspergillus flavus	180	Staphylococcus aureus	80

Note: MIC determined by broth dilution method; DCMX shows specific activity against molds including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Aureobasidium, and Trichoderma species

5. Applications

5.1 Personal Care & Household

Disinfectants: 4.5-5% (hospital and household use)
Hand soaps: ~1%
Bar soaps: 0.1-0.3% (antibacterial soaps 1-2%)
Body washes: ~2%
Anti-dandruff shampoos: As required
Dishwashing liquid: 0.5-1%

5.2 Industrial Preservation

Photographic film: Mold prevention and preservation
Adhesives: Prevents microbial decomposition
Coatings & Paints: Fungicide for humid environments
Textiles: Antimicrobial finishing (microencapsulation technology achieves 50+ wash cycles)
Paper industry: Slurry preservation
Leather processing: Antifungal treatment (salted hides, vegetable-tanned leather)
Wood protection: Antifungal treatment
Metalworking fluids: Prevents microbial growth, odor, and corrosion

5.3 Environmental Disinfection

Public facility sanitization
Hospital environment cleaning

6. Safety & Toxicity Data

Endpoint	Value
Acute Oral LD₅₀ (Rat)	2810-4120 mg/kg (Low toxicity)
Acute Dermal LD₅₀ (Rat)	>2000 mg/kg
Skin Irritation	Negative (non-irritating)
Eye Irritation	Mild irritant (protective measures required)
Sensitization	Non-sensitizing
LC₅₀ (Rainbow trout, 96h)	0.76 mg/L
EC₅₀ (Water flea, 48h)	7.7 mg/L

7. Usage Guidelines & Formulation Recommendations

Solubilization:

Soluble in non-ionic surfactants such as 6501, AE07, alcohols, TX-10
Recommended: Pre-dissolve in organic solvents (ethanol, isopropanol) before adding to aqueous phase
Solubility increases under alkaline conditions

Recommended Formulations:

Personal care: Dissolve in surfactants or alcohol co-solvents, then blend with other components
Industrial coatings: Direct dispersion in solvent-based systems, or emulsify for aqueous systems
Textile finishing: Exhaust method (45-60°C, 30-45 min) or Pad-dry-cure method (80-100°C pre-dry, 120-130°C cure 1-2 min)

8. Packaging & Storage

Packaging: 25kg fiber drum (double PE-lined) / 20kg fiber drum / 1kg aluminum foil bag

Storage: Cool, dry place (≤25°C); sealed, protected from light; away from ignition sources and oxidizers

Shelf Life: 36 months (unopened)

Transport: Handle with care to prevent package damage and moisture absorption; transport as general chemical

9. Key Advantages

Mold-Specific Efficacy: Highly effective against Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and other molds with long-lasting protection
Broad Spectrum: Excellent efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis, S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli)
Safety: Low toxicity with negative skin irritation results; suitable for skin-contact products
Versatility: Wide applications in personal care, household disinfection, and industrial preservation
Advanced Technology: Microencapsulation technology enhances textile wash durability to 50+ cycles
Stability: Stable phenolic structure; stable under conventional storage without decomposition

10. Differentiation from PCMX

Attribute	DCMX	PCMX
Chlorine Atoms	2 (Dichloro)	1 (Monochloro)
Molecular Weight	191.05	156.6
Melting Point	95-96°C	114-116°C
Water Solubility (20°C)	0.2 g/L	0.25 g/100g
Odor Intensity	Strong (pronounced phenolic odor)	Mild (slight phenolic odor)
Antimicrobial Focus	Specific activity against molds	Broad-spectrum balanced activity (160+ organisms)
Primary Applications	Personal care, industrial mold control	Pharmaceutical disinfection, industrial preservation
FDA Status	Industrial/household applications	FDA-approved topical antimicrobial

Note: DCMX is the dichloro derivative of PCMX with enhanced antimicrobial activity but stronger odor, suitable for applications requiring stringent mold control.

DCMX (2,4-Dichloro-3,5-dimethylphenol)