Chemistry:Mequinol

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Short description: Chemical compound
Mequinol
4-Methoxyphenol.png
Clinical data
Other names4-Hydroxyanisole; para-Guaiacol
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
MedlinePlusa682437
Routes of
administration
Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • CA: Unscheduled
  • US: ℞-only and Unscheduled
  • In general: unscheduled
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC7H8O2
Molar mass124.139 g·mol−1
Density1.55 g/cm3
Melting point52.5 °C (126.5 °F)
Boiling point243 °C (469 °F)
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Mequinol, MeHQ or 4-methoxyphenol, is an organic compound with the formula CH
3
OC
6
H
4
OH
. It is a phenol with a methoxy group in the para position. A colorless solid, it is used in dermatology[1] and organic chemistry.[2]

Use in dermatology

Mequinol is a common active ingredient in topical drugs used for skin depigmentation. As a topical drug mequinol is often mixed with tretinoin, a topical retinoid. A common formulation for this drug is an ethanolic solution of 2% mequinol and 0.01% tretinoin by mass.[1] Dermatologists commonly prescribe the drug to treat liver spots.

Lower dosages of mequinol have been used in conjunction with a Q-switched laser to depigment skin in patients with disseminated idiopathic vitiligo.[3]

Organic chemistry

In organic chemistry 4-methoxyphenol is used as a polymerisation inhibitor (e.g. acrylates or styrene monomers).[2]

4-Methoxyphenol can be produced from p-benzoquinone and methanol via a free radical reaction.[4][5]

Safety

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 5 mg/m3 over an 8-hour workday.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.. "Full Prescribing Information". US Food and Drug Administration. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020922s006lbl.pdf. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hudnall, Phillip M.. "Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_499. 
  3. "Q-switched laser depigmentation in vitiligo, most effective in active disease". The British Journal of Dermatology 169 (6): 1246–51. December 2013. doi:10.1111/bjd.12571. PMID 23909405. 
  4. "Selective Monoetherification of 1,4-Hydroquinone Promoted by NaNO2". Current Organic Chemistry 17 (10): 1108–1113. 2013. doi:10.2174/1385272811317100011. 
  5. Correale M, Panseri P, Romano U, Minisci F, "Process for the preparation of mono-ethers of hydroquinones", US patent 4933504
  6. "4-Methoxyphenol". NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0390.html. 

External links