6248. Monobenzone

Nomenclature

CAS number: 103-16-2
4-(Phenylmethoxy)phenol; p-(benzyloxy)phenol; hydroquinone monobenzyl ether; hydroquinone benzyl ether; p-hydroxyphenyl benzyl ether; benzyl hydroquinone; monobenzyl hydroquinone; Benoquin; Depigman (Hermal); Pigmex; Benzoquin; Agerite.
C13H12O2; mol wt 200.23.
C 77.98%, H 6.04%, O 15.98%.

Description and references

Prepd from hydroquinone and benzyl bromide in alcoholic KOH: Schiff, Pellizzari, Ann. 221, 370 (1883). Clinical evaluation: S. W. Becker, Jr., M. C. Spencer, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 180, 279 (1962). Toxicity study: A. Takahashi, E. A. Inglis, Int. J. Polymer Sci. Technol. 3, 93 (1976).

Chemical structure

Properties

Lustrous leaflets from water, mp 122.5°. Practically insol in cold water. Soly in boiling water ≈1.0 g/100 ml. Sol in alcohol, ether, benzene. LD50 i.p. in mice: >600 mg/kg (Takahashi).

Therapeutic Category

Depigmentor.

Keywords

Depigmentor