Mannitol

1Identification

Name

Mannitol

IUPAC name

(2R,3R,4R,5R)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol

CAS number

69-65-8

EC number

200-711-8

Molecular formula

C6H14O6

Molecular weight

182.17 g/mol

InChIKey

FBPFZTCFMRRESA-KVTDHHQDSA-N

SMILES

C([C@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@@H](CO)O)O)O)O)O

PubChem CID

6251

Synonyms

D-mannitol, mannitol, Mannite, Osmitrol, Manna sugar, Cordycepic acid, Diosmol, Resectisol, Mannidex, Mannigen, Osmosal, Mannit, D-(-)-Mannitol, Mannazucker

Recommended uses

• CIR ingredient: Mannitol
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• Occurs in many plants; Used in electronics (with boric acid to make dry electrolytic condensers for radio applications), plastics (for making artificial resins and plasticizers), in the food industry (anticaking, free-flow agent, flavoring agent, release agent, stabilizer, thickener, and nutritive sweetener), and in medicine (diuretic and in the determination of renal function); [Merck Index] Used as flavoring agent, anticaking agent, formulation aid, lubricant or release agent, non-nutritive sweetener, and solvent for foods; [FDA] Permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products; [EPA]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Used in the food industry as anti-caking and free flowing agent, stabilizer, thickener, and non-nutritive sweetener.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Use categories: Fragrance Ingredients · Food Additives -> BULKING_AGENT; HUMECTANT; STABILIZER; SWEETENER; TEXTURIZER; THICKENER -> JECFA Functional Classes · Cosmetics -> Moisturising; Binding; Humectant; Masking; Skin conditioning

Description

• D-mannitol appears as odorless white crystalline powder or free-flowing granules. Sweet taste. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• D-mannitol is the D-enantiomer of mannitol. It has a role as a member of compatible osmolytes, a metabolite, an antiglaucoma drug, an osmotic diuretic, a sweetening agent, an allergen, a hapten, an Escherichia coli metabolite, a food anticaking agent, a food stabiliser, a food humectant, a food thickening agent and a food bulking agent.
  ChEBI
• Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that is metabolically inert in humans and occurs naturally, as a sugar or sugar alcohol, in fruits and vegetables. Mannitol elevates blood plasma osmolality, resulting in enhanced flow of water from tissues, including the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, into interstitial fluid and plasma. As a result, cerebral edema, elevated intracranial pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid volume and pressure may be reduced. Mannitol may also be used for the promotion of diuresis before irreversible renal failure becomes established; the promotion of urinary excretion of toxic substances; as an Antiglaucoma agent; and as a renal function diagnostic aid.
  DrugBank

2Hazard identification

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 2 of the supplier's SDS.

Health hazards

• SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of exposure to this compound include nausea, vomiting, headache, chills, chest pain and pulmonary edema. It may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Other symptoms may include lethargy, confusion, heart failure and death. Exposure has caused an electrolyte and fluid imbalance, hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhea, thirst, fever, tachycardia, hyponatremia, urinary retention, dehydration, blurred vision, convulsions, urticaria, hypotension and hypertension. It has also caused hyperglycemia and glycosuria. Coughing may result from inhalation. Ingestion may cause gastric irritation. Skin contact may cause discoloration of sensitive skin.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• This chemical is probably combustible. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Hazards summary

• No evidence of teratogenicity in experimental animals; [REPROTOX] No evidence of carcinogenicity in mice or rats; [NTP] May cause irritation; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

5Fire-fighting measures

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 5 of the supplier's SDS.

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 6 of the supplier's SDS.

7Handling and storage

• Mannitol solutions should be stored at room temperature and protected from freezing.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

Personal protective equipment

• RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• A sugar alcohol. More closely related to carbohydrates than to other polyhydric alcohols [Noller]. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination with alkali metals, nitrides, strong reducing agents and strong oxidizing agents.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Water soluble.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• It has been stated that mannitol is incompatible in strongly acidic and alkaline solutions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Chemical stability

• Mannitol 25% (Invenex) was chemically and physically stable after five autoclavings at 250 °F for 15 min.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 11 of the supplier's SDS.

12Ecological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 12 of the supplier's SDS.

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• Mannitol used as a nutrient and/or dietary supplement in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 6251 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.