viscous colourless liquid with a phenol-like smell
4-nonylphenol is used in the process for the manufacture of 5-nonyl salicylaldoxime, which is used for the selective purification and concentration of copper ions.
Principal use as an intermediate in the
production of nonionic ethoxylated surfactants;
as an intermediate in the manufacture of phosphite
antioxidants used for the plastics and
rubber industries
weevil pheromone, shows estrogenic activity
ChEBI: A member of the class of phenols that is phenol which is para-substituted with a nonyl group.
Nonylphenol is a severe irritant
of the eyes and skin.
Nonylphenol has recently been shown to
have estrogenic properties, triggering mitotic
activity in rat endometrium and cell proliferation
in estrogen-sensitive tumor cells.9 Potential
toxicity to humans who may be exposed to
nonylphenol through leaching of plastics has
not been determined.
