4553. Guaiacol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 90-05-1
2-Methoxyphenol; methylcatechol; o-hydroxyanisole; 1-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzene; Anastil (Eberth).
C7H8O2; mol wt 124.14.
C 67.73%, H 6.50%, O 25.78%.

Description and references

Isolated from guaiac resin: Sobrero, Ann. 48, 19 (1843); from hardwood tar: McGinness et al., Tappi 43, 1027 (1960). Prepd by mercuric oxide oxidation of lignin: Lewis, Pearl, US 2433227 (1947 to Sulphite Prod.); by oxidation of anisole with trifluoroperoxyacetic acid: McClure, Williams, J. Org. Chem. 27, 627 (1962); from acetovanillone + ZnCl2: Read, US 3057927 (1962 to Ontario Res. Found.); from the diazonium salt of o-anisidine: Herbst, DE 1148236 (1963 to Hoechst). Toxicity data: Taylor et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 6, 378 (1964).

Chemical structure

Properties

White or slightly yellow cryst mass or colorless to yellowish, very refractive liquid; characteristic odor. Darkens on exposure to air and light. d (crystals) 1.129; d (liq) ≈1.112. Solidif 28°, but may remain liquid for a long time even at a much lower temp. bp 204-206°; bp4 53-55°. One gram dissolves in 60-70 ml water, 1 ml glycerol; miscible with alcohol, chloroform, ether, oils, glacial acetic acid. Slightly sol in petr ether; sol in NaOH soln; with moderately concd KOH it forms a sparingly sol compd. Protect from light. LD50 orally in rats: 725 mg/kg (Taylor).

Derivative

Phenylacetate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 4112-89-4
Gujaphenyl (DDD); Gunyl (Hogapharm).
C15H14O3; mol wt 242.27.
C 74.36%, H 5.82%, O 19.81%.

Therapeutic Category

Expectorant.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Expectorant.

Keywords

Expectorant