Molekula
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (Methyl paraben)
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, commonly known as methyl paraben, is a widely used preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products to inhibit microbial growth. This synthetic ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid ensures product shelf life and safety. Catalogue details include a CAS number of 99-76-3, molecular formula HOC6H4CO2CH3, and a molecular weight of 152.15. It is stored at ambient temperatures and carries a signal word of warning for safety handling. Molekula supplies methyl paraben from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
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100 g — £40.30 per pack ex VAT · £48.36 inc. VAT
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Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White powder |
| Melting Point | 125 - 128°C |
| Identification | Conforms to reference |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 0.5% |
| Solubility | Very slightly soluble in water, freely in alcohol and methanol |
| Sulphated Ash | ≤ 0.05% |
| Assay (dried basis) | ≥99.0% |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | Ambient |
| Transport Class | 9 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Acidity | Neutral |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White needles |
| Odour | Odorless or has faint characteristic odor |
| Melting Point | 125.2 °C |
| Boiling Point | 270.5 °C (decomposes) |
| Water Solubility | 2.5 g/L at 25 °C |
| Solubility (other solvents) | Slightyl soluble in water; very soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone; soluble in trfluoroacetic acid |
| Vapour Pressure | 0.000237 mmHg |
| log P (octanol/water) | 1.96 |
Source: PubChem CID 7456 (HSDB, Haz-Map)
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 14385952 |
| CAS Number | 99-76-3 |
| IUPAC Name | methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate |
| EC Number | 202-785-7 |
| Molecular Formula | HOC6H4CO2CH3 |
| Molecular Weight | 152.15 |
| Exact Mass | 152.0473 |
| SMILES | COC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)O |
| InChIKey | LXCFILQKKLGQFO-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C8H8O3/c1-11-8(10)6-2-4-7(9)5-3-6/h2-5,9H,1H3 |
| PubChem CID | 7456 |
| UN Number | UN3077 |
| REACH Code | Y110 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 29182904 |
| Tariff Code | 2918290060 |
Safety & GHS
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Health Hazard
GHS07
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Hazardous to the Environment
GHS09
Hazard statements
- H315 Causes skin irritation
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary statements
- P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
- P273 Avoid release to the environment
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- P302+352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with soap and water
- P305+351+338 IF IN EYES: Rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing
Documents
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- Maseptol
- Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
- Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
- Methyl parahydroxybenzoate
- METHYLPARABEN
- Moldex
- Nipagin
- p-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester
- Preserval M
- Tegosept M
Frequently asked questions
What is Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (Methyl paraben) commonly used for?
Methyl paraben is primarily used as a preservative in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products to inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of Methyl paraben?
The chemical formula is **HOC₆H₄CO₂CH₃**, and the molecular weight is **152.15 g/mol**.
How should Methyl paraben be stored?
Store at **ambient temperature** in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
What grades or purity levels of Methyl paraben does Molekula supply?
Molekula supplies **pharmaceutical-grade (USP/EP/JP)** and **food-grade (FDA-compliant)** Methyl paraben.
Can Molekula supply Methyl paraben in bulk quantities?
Yes, Molekula offers **bulk packaging options** (e.g., 25kg drums, 1MT containers) for industrial and commercial customers.
What documentation is provided with an order of Methyl paraben?
Each order includes a **Certificate of Analysis (CoA)**, **Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS)**, and **batch-specific documentation** for traceability.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.