2571. Creosol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 93-51-6
2-Methoxy-4-methylphenol; 2-methoxy-p-cresol; 4-methylguaiacol; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxytoluene; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-1-methylbenzene.
C8H10O2; mol wt 138.16.
C 69.55%, H 7.30%, O 23.16%.

Description and references

Occurs in beechwood tar. It is one of the active constituents of creosote. Obtained by the Clemmensen reduction of vanillin using amalgamated zinc and toluene as auxiliary solvent: Fletcher, Tarbell, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 65, 1431 (1943); Schwarz, Hering, Org. Synth. coll. vol. IV, 203 (1963).

Chemical structure

Properties

Colorless to yellowish, strongly refractive, aromatic liq. d425 1.092. bp760 220°; bp15 105°; bp4 79°. mp 5.5°. nD25 1.5353. Slightly sol in water; miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, glacial acetic acid.

Note

Not to be confused with cresol.