Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
4-Methylbenzene-1,2-diol | |
Other names
4-Methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene
3,4-Dihydroxytoluene Homocatechol 4-Methyl-1,2-benzenediol Homopyrocatechol p-Methylcatechol | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.559 |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C7H8O2 | |
Molar mass | 124.139 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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4-Methylcatechol is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(OH)2 A white solid, it is one of the isomers of methylbenzenediol.
The enzyme cis-1,2-dihydroxy-4-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1-carboxylate dehydrogenase uses cis-1,2-dihydroxy-4-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1-carboxylate and NAD(P)+ to produce 4-methylcatechol, NADH, NADPH and CO2.[1]
Members of the monocot subfamily Amaryllidoideae present a unique type of alkaloids, the norbelladine alkaloids, which are 4-methylcatechol derivatives combined with tyrosine. They are responsible for the poisonous properties of a number of the species. Over 200 different chemical structures of these compounds are known, of which 79 or more are known from Narcissus alone.[2]
The brand of low-temperature coke used as a smokeless fuel Coalite obtains homocatechol from ammoniacal liquor by solvent extraction, distillation and crystallisation.[citation needed]
Being structurally related to lignans, it is contributes to the aerosol generate by combustion of wood.[3]
It is a component of castoreum, the exudate from the castor sacs of the mature beaver.[4]