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Catechol

Catechol occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables.

Chemical Formula: C₆H₆O₂

Other names: catechin, ortho-benzenediol, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene

Layman's explanation: Catechol is a colorless, crystalline solid with a phenolic, faint odor and a sweet-bitter taste. It is soluble in alcohol, ether and acetate. Catechol is used as an antioxidant, astringent, antiseptic, antifungal preservative for treating seed potato pieces, photographic developer, in fur dyes manufacture and as an intermediate in lubricanting oils. It is also used in polymerization inhibitors and in pharmaceuticals. Catechol is prepared by treating salicylaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide, or from its monomethyl ether by treatment with hydrobromic acid. Originally, catechol was isolated from a type of mimosa tree. Catechol has been found in food, drinking water and cigarette smoke. Skin contact with catechol causes eczema in humans.

Keywords: antioxidant, photographic, dyes

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