Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 203-987-8 | CAS number: 112-58-3
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
No study is available in which the toxicokinetic properties (distribution, metabolism, elimination) of dihexyl ether were investigated.
Information about the dermal absorption behaviour was tested in the structural analogue dioctyl ether.
The expected toxicokinetic behaviour is derived from the physicochemical properties, the results from the available toxicological studies and the available literature following the information given in guidance document 7c.
Dihexyl ether having a molecular weight of ~186 g/mol is a liquid with a water solubility of <1 mg/L (20°C) . It has a low volatility of 15 P (20°C) and has a lipophilic character (log Pow 6.08). The structure shows no hydrolysable groups or ionic elements.
Oral and GI absorption: The substance is hardly soluble in water and in GI fluids. It will not easily pass through aqueous pores or epithelial barriers. The substance may be taken up by micellular solubilisation.
Inhalative absorption: The substance is not easily soluble in mucus and does not easily pass through aqueous pores or epithelial barriers. An absorption via the lung is therefore not assumed.
Dermal absorption: Due to the physico chemical information, the substance can be assumed to be absorbed via the skin. A low transfer between the stratum corneum and the epidermis is assumed. Experimental data of the structural related dioctyl ether show a penetration rate through the skin below 1%. As a consequence the systemic availablity should be low after dermal exposure.
Distribution: The molecular weight points to a wide distribution. On the other hand due to the low solubility a bad distribution can be assumed. A distribution into fat cells is possible.
Accumulative potential: Based on the PC information the main site of accumulation is assumed to be the adipose tissue as well as skin. The substance will be sloughed off the skin. No accumulation in bone or in lung is predicted.
Metabolism: No information on the metabolism of dihexylether is available. The metabolism of the ether bond in glycol ethers is known to occur via O-dealkylation. The ether bond is metabolized to glycol and the respective alcohols. One example is the metabolism of phenoxy propanol which is metabolized to phenol and propylene glycol (Saghir et al 2003; Xenobiotica, 33, 10, 1059–1071). Additional support for this metabolic pathway is given in various publications on the human metabolism of methyl tert butyl ether, which is described as O-dealkylation resulting in the removal of the methyl group to form a tertiary butanol group (Amberg et al 1999; Tox.Sci. 51, 1 -8). It is therefore assumed that dihexyl ether in a first step is metabolised to hexanol.
Reactivity: Available studies on genotoxicity were negative, i. e. there is no indication of a reactivity of dihexylether or its metabolites under the test conditions.
Excretion: Due to the physico chemical information an excretion of the unchanged substance via the urine is quesionable. An exalation is not assumed due to the low vapor pressure.
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