6864. Orcinol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 504-15-4
5-Methyl-1,3-benzenediol; 5-methylresorcinol; orcin; 3,5-dihydroxytoluene.
C7H8O2; mol wt 124.14.
C 67.73%, H 6.50%, O 25.78%.

Description and references

Occurs in many species of lichens: Sastry, Rao, Curr. Sci. 10, 437 (1941). Prepn: Anker, Cook, J. Chem. Soc. 1945, 311; Kisteneva, Rozhdestvenskii, Zh. Prikl. Khim. 22, 1108 (1949); Stevens, US 2603662 (1952 to Gulf); Zimmer, US 3028410 (1962 to Hooker Chem.). Toxicity studies: I. Veldre et al., Vopr. Gig. Tr. Prof. Patol. Est. SSR 2, 160 (1970), C.A. 74, 51746h (1971).

Chemical structure

Derivative

Monohydrate.

Properties

Crystals; sweet but unpleasant taste; reddens on exposure to air due to oxidation. mp about 58°; 107° when anhydr. bp 290°; bp14-20 165-170°; bp5 147°. Freely sol in water, alcohol, ether; less sol in benzene; slightly sol in chloroform or carbon disulfide. Keep well closed and protected from light. LD50 in mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs (mg/kg): 772, 844, 2400, 1678 orally (Veldre).

Use

As a reagent for pentoses, lignin, beet sugar, saccharoses, arabinose, diastase.