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InventoryRef 3726815/10/2010

PROPYLENE CARBONATE

Propylene carbonate

PROPYLENE CARBONATE is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

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Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

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Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 108-32-7
CAS 108-32-7PubChem CID 7924

Propylene Carbonate

Propylene carbonate is an organic molecular entity. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one
Molecular formula
C4H6O3
Molecular weight
102.09 g/mol
Exact mass
102.031694049 Da
XLogP3
-0.4
Topological polar surface area
35.5 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
3
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

1,2-Propylene carbonate1,2-Propanediol cyclic carbonateArconate 5000Texacar PCCyclic propylene carbonate1,2-Propanediol carbonate1,3-Dioxolan-2-one, 4-methyl-Propylene glycol cyclic carbonate
16 more reported names
Dipropylene carbonate1-Methylethylene carbonate1,2-Propanediyl carbonateCyclic 1,2-propylene carbonateCyclic methylethylene carbonate4-Methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolaneCarbonic acid, propylene esterPropylenester kyseliny uhliciteCarbonic acid cyclic methylethylene esterCarbonic acid, cyclic propylene etherNSC-117848D08K3S51ERefChem:6175203-572-14-Methyldioxalone-2Carbonic acid, cyclic propylene ester
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match7924

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • NFPA Health Rating: 1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Fire Rating: 1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Instability Rating: 1 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable but that can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe in the present practices of use and concentration. Ingredient, concentration, and use information are available in documents discoverable at https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Toxicity Summary: IDENTIFICATION AND USE: PROPYLENE CARBONATE is a colorless liquid. Propylene carbonate is used in paints as a high-boiling solvent and film-forming auxiliary, especially in poly(vinyl fluoride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) systems. It is also employed as an auxiliary in the pigment and dye industry. It is also used In lithium batteries, to decrease sulfur dioxide vapor pressure and increase electrolyte solubility and ionic conductivity. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: In clinical studies, undiluted propylene carbonate caused moderate skin irritation, whereas 5 and 10% propylene carbonate in aqueous solution produced no skin irritation or sensitization. Cosmetic products or gels containing 0.54-20% propylene carbonate were essentially nonsensitizing and, at most, moderately irritating to human skin. Products formulated with 1.51-20% propylene carbonate were generally nonphototoxic and nonphotosensitizing. However, one product containing 20% propylene carbonate may have produced a low level photoallergic reaction in 1 of 25 subjects tested. ANIMAL STUDIES: The undiluted material was a slight irritant to the skin and a moderate irritant to the rabbit eye. In an acute dermal toxicity stu Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for propylene carbonate(SRC), using a log Kow of -0.41(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 5(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that propylene carbonate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of propylene carbonate from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.5X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), based upon its vapor pressure, 0.045 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 1.75X10+5 mg/L(4). Propylene carbonate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(3). A 79% of theoretical BOD using activated sludge in the Japanese MITI test(5) suggests that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 5(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that propylene carbonate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.5X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.045 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 1.75X10+5 mg/L(5). Propylene carbonate may undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from its log Kow of -0.41(7) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). A 79% of theoretical BOD using activated sludge in the Japanese MITI test(8) suggests that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), propylene carbonate, which has a vapor pressure of 0.045 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase propylene carbonate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 4 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.8X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Propylene carbonate contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Monomers; Conductive agent; Solvent; Other; Cleaning agent; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Filler; Viscosity modifiers Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Dispersing agent; Conductive agent; Solvent; Other; Monomers; Plating agent; Cleaning agent; Viscosity modifiers; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Waterproofing agent; Filler; Diluent; Ion exchange agent; Etching agent; Chelating agent; Surface modifier Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Propylene Carbonate Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used for carbon dioxide recovery and solvent extraction; Also used in lithium batteries, as a plasticizer, in natural gas purification, and as a synthetic fiber spinning solvent; [HSDB] Used as a solvent in surface coatings, paint removers, cosmetics, personal care products, cleaners, degreasers, dyes, fibers, plastics, wood-binder resins, and photochromic solutions; Also used as a solvent to bake enamels, a reactive diluent for urethanes and epoxy resins, a dispersant for lubricants and greases, a binder for foundry sand and moulds, a cleaner in electronics, and as a water scavenger; [CHEMINFO] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Molding and Core Making [Category: Foundry]; Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]; Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]; Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing) [Category: Industry]; Painting (Solvents) [Category: Paint]; Plastic Composites Manufacturing [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Activities with risk of exposure: Ceramics making [Category: Hobbies]; Enameling [Category: Hobbies] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: Propylene carbonate is used in paints as a high-boiling solvent and film-forming auxiliary, especially in poly(vinyl fluoride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) systems. It is also employed as an auxiliary in the pigment and dye industry. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Solvent extraction, plasticizer, organic synthesis, natural gas purification, synthetic fiber spinning solvent. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: In CO2 recovery Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: In lithium batteries, to decrease sulfur dioxide vapor pressure and increase electrolyte solubility and ionic conductivity. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Commercially produced primary cells have counterelectrodes made of manganese dioxide, iron sulfide, carbon fluoride (CFx), or graphite loaded with sulfur dioxide or thionyl chloride, and electrolytes consisting of lithium salts (LiAsF6, LiClO4, LiI, LiSO3CF3) dissolved in aprotic organic solvents such as propylene carbonate or dimethoxyethane. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for PROPYLENE CARBONATE

INCI name

PROPYLENE CARBONATE

INN name

propylene carbonate

Description

Propylene carbonate

Record provenance

Inventory reference
37268
Imported identity
PROPYLENE CARBONATE
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes
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Key data

CAS
108-32-7
EC
203-572-1
Restriction
—
Function
SOLVENT
Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#23302 · PROPYLENE CARBONATE

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

PROPYL ALCOHOLANTIFOAMING, SOLVENT
PROPYL TRIMETHICONEHUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT
PROPYL TRISILOXANEHAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT
PROPYLALSOLVENT
PROPYLENE GLYCOLHUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
PROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHERHUMECTANT, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
PROPYLENE GLYCOL DIHEPTANOATEANTICAKING, FILM FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONT…
PROPYLENE GLYCOL PROPYL ETHERSOLVENT

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicalsPubChem PUG RESTEU Safety Gate cosmetic product alertsECHA CHEMUS EPA CompToxCosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessmentsFDA Global Substance Registration SystemILO/WHO International Chemical Safety CardsJapan NITE-CHRIPNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical HazardsOECD eChemPortal

How PROPYLENE CARBONATE appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists PROPYLENE CARBONATE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

PROPYLENE CARBONATE is also tagged with 2 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

PROPYLENE CARBONATE is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, PROPYLENE CARBONATE carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 108-32-7 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.
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Source note for PROPYLENE CARBONATE

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for PROPYLENE CARBONATE from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

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