Phenacetin

Phenacetin (CAS 62-44-2), also known as p-Acetophenetidide, is a synthetic acetamide compound used as a pharmaceutical intermediate and chemical building block.

Where is Phenacetin used?

• Pharmaceutical and fine chemical: intermediate for synthesizing active compounds and research-grade formulations
• Polymer and specialty chemical manufacturing: antioxidant stabilizer and processing aid
• Plastics and polymer processing: stabilizer that inhibits oxidative degradation during high-temperature compounding
• Textile and leather processing: surface modifier and auxiliary agent that improves dye uptake and substrate compatibility
• Personal care formulators have historically incorporated it into preservation and stabilization systems.

Good to know: Standard grades include USP and BP, with pharmaceutical-grade material subject to tighter purity thresholds typically above 99%.

Commercial specifications

• Pharmaceutical-grade purity thresholds typically above 99%
• Bulk quantities in multi-kilogram and metric-ton packaging
• Smaller quantities for laboratory and formulation development use