Propofol

Propofol	Last updated: 07/09/2025
(Also known as: penguin milk; ICI35868; diisopropylphenol ; disoprofol)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An intravenous anesthetic veterinary drug

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to induce and maintain general anesthesia and for procedural sedation

Examples of species treated

Cats; Dogs; Small domestic animals

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Propofol is not isomeric is the usual sense as it has a simple structure and lacks the chirality needed for stereoisomers or racemic mixtures. However, it does exhibits conformational isomerism due to the flexible rotation of its hydroxyl and isopropyl groups around single bonds. These rotations create multiple spatial arrangements, or conformers, without altering the molecular formula.

Chemical formula

C₁₂H₁₈O

Canonical SMILES

CC(C)C1=C(C(=CC=C1)C(C)C)O

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

OLBCVFGFOZPWHH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H18O/c1-8(2)10-6-5-7-11(9(3)4)12(10)13/h5-9,13H,1-4H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
propofol	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Sedative, Anesthetic

Substance groups

Alkylphenol

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Potentiation of GABA-A receptor activity

Molecular targets

[Gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) receptor subunit beta-2, potentiator], [Gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) receptor subunit beta-3, potentiator], [Sodium channel protein type 4 subunit alpha, Antagonist], [Sodium channel protein type 2 subunit alpha, Antagonist]

CAS RN

2078-54-8

EC number

218-206-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Nervous system: Anaesthetics

ATCvet Code

QN01AX10

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

178.27

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

2,6-diisopropylphenol

CAS name

2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenol

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White to pale yellow coloured oil

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1977, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Ceva Animal Health Pty Ltd
Norbrook Laboratories Ltd
Zoetis UK Ltd

Example products using this active

Inductofol Emulsion for Injection
Norofol Emulsion for Injection
PropoFlo Plus Emulsion for Injection

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as emulsions for injection

Commercial production

Propofol is typically synthesised through a two-step chemical process starting from p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The first step involves a double Friedel–Crafts alkylation, where two isopropyl groups are introduced at the 2 and 6 positions of the aromatic ring using isopropyl alcohol and a Lewis acid catalyst. This forms 2,6-diisopropyl-p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The second step is a decarboxylation reaction, which removes the carboxylic acid group to yield the final product, 2,6-diisopropylphenol, known as propofol. Modern methods often use continuous flow chemistry to enhance safety, scalability, and purity, making the process more efficient and suitable for industrial production.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

124

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

256

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

112

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

6.17 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.79

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.955

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

11.1

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Slightly mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

2700

Notes and range

Estimated

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

4-hydroxypropofol

Human (Liver)

propofol glucuronide

Human (Liver)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

500

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

500

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 42 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 170 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Around 70% of a dose is excreted in the urine within 24hrs after administration and 90% within 5days

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

No information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 8

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN2922

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

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English

propofol

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Record last updated:	07/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242