1,2-Hexanediol
CASRN#
6920-22-5
INCI Name
1,2-HEXANEDIOL
Alternate Names
1,2-Hexanediol, hexane-1,2-diol, DL-1,2-Hexanediol, 1,2-Dihydroxyhexane, 5,6-Dihydroxyhexane
Common Trade Names
Molecular Weight
118 g/mol
Functional Uses
cosurfactant, Solvent, humectant, preservative
Common Impurities
-
Is this a VOC?
Yes
Is this an exempt VOC?
No
Vapor Pressure
0.00432 mm Hg
Octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow)
0.25
Solubility at 23.5 C
9E+3 mg/l
Boiling Point
228.3 °C
Particle size range as aerodynamic diameter
- - - μm
Hazard Summary
C2C Chemical Rating
N/A
GHS Health
N/A
GHS Enviro
N/A
Assessed by
N/A
Assessment Date
N/A
Verification Status

Screening_only

CHA Validity and Confidence Comments
None
Executive Summary
1,2-Hexanediol is an alcohol in the diol (or glycol) family. It is an organic chemical compound containing two hydroxyl (-OH) groups on a six-carbon backbone. Because of the adjacent positioning of the two hydroxyl groups, 1,2-alkanediols contain a stereocenter, leading to two stereoisomers: cis1,2-hexanediol and trans-1,2-hexanediol. Because the hydroxyl groups are located on the first and second carbons on one end of a six-carbon chain, 1,2-hexanediol is an amphiphilic molecule that acts as both a cosurfactant and solvent. A cosurfactant increases the effectiveness of surfactants, which are compounds containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that work to lower the surface tension at an interface (e.g., between two liquids). Surfactants may function as detergents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, wetting agents, and dispersants in a variety of applications and product sectors. See Section 5 for 1,2-hexanediol’s conditions of use. In addition, 1,2-hexanediol is hygroscopic and thus acts as a humectant, which means that it absorbs water and increases hydration in products. Also, straight-chain 1,2-alkanediols, including 1,2- hexanediol, have broad spectrum antimicrobial properties and are used alone or in combination with other chemicals, to serve as preservatives and/or preservative boosters. These properties contribute to the use of 1,2-hexanediol as a multifunctional ingredient in products.
Hazard Tables

How to read the GHS Hazard Summary Table

 
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental Toxicity
Acute Toxicity
STOT-Single
STOT-Repeated
STOT- Neurotoxicity-Single
STOT- Neurotoxicity-Repeated
Skin Sensitizer
Respiratory Sensitizer
Skin Corrosion/Irritation
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
Acute Aquatic Toxicity
Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Ozone Depletion
Oral
Dermal
Inhalation
Other
  • Explosives
  • Flammable Gases
  • Aerosols
  • Oxidizing Gases
  • Flammable Liquids
  • Flammable Solids
  • Self-reactive substances and mixtures
  • Pyrophoric Liquids
  • Pyrophoric Solids
  • Self-heating Substances and Mixtures
  • Substances and Mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases
  • Oxidizing Liquids
  • Oxidizing Solids
  • Organic Peroxides
  • Corrosive to Metals
  • Desensitized Explosives

How to read the C2CC Hazard Summary Table

Human Health
Environmental
Other
 
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity
Endocrine Activity / Disruption
Oral Toxicity
Dermal Toxicity
Inhalation Toxicity
Neurotoxicity
Skin, Eye, and Respiratory Corrosion/Irritation
Sensitization of Skin and Airways
Fish Toxicity
Daphnia Toxicity
Algae Toxicity
Terrestrial Toxicity
Persistence
Bioaccumulation
Climatic Relevance
Other (Human Health)
Organohalogens
Toxic Metals
Other (Environmental Health)
Oral
Dermal
Inhalation