Isobutylparaben

Isobutylparaben (CAS 4247-02-3), also known as isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, is a paraben-series preservative used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic manufacturing.

Where is Isobutylparaben used?

• Cosmetics and personal care: preservative in creams, lotions, and emulsions where longer oil-phase compatibility is required compared to shorter-chain parabens
• Pharmaceuticals: topical preparations, oral suspensions, and semi-solid dosage forms to prevent microbial contamination during storage
• Food: antimicrobial agent in certain processed food products where regulatory frameworks permit paraben use
• It also appears as an intermediate in the synthesis of more complex paraben esters.

Commercial specifications

• Food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade material, the latter typically conforming to USP specifications
• May also conform to Ph. Eur. standards
• Packaging in kilogram-scale quantities for laboratory and formulation use, and larger bulk formats for industrial production