2504. Coniferyl Alcohol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 458-35-5
4-(3-Hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol; 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ol; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic alcohol; γ-hydroxyisoeugenol.
C10H12O3; mol wt 180.20.
C 66.65%, H 6.71%, O 26.64%.

Description and references

In benzoin, especially Siam benzoin, as coniferyl benzoate (up to 78%): Reinitzer, Arch. Pharm. 264, 131 (1926). From coniferin by hydrolysis with emulsin. From ferula aldehyde (coniferyl aldehyde) by the action of fermenting yeast. Small amounts of coniferyl alcohol are found in brandy from beet molasses.

Chemical structure

Properties

Prisms, mp 74°. Freely sol in ether; moderately sol in alc; almost insol in water; sol in alkalies. Polymerized by dil acids; converted to an amorphous gum. Absorption spectrum: Herzog, Hillmer, Ber. 64B, 1288 (1931).