Density 1.08 g/cm³ Formula C8H10O2 | Molar mass 138.16 g/mol | |
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1,2-Dimethoxybenzene, commonly known as veratrole, is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(OCH3)2. It is a colorless liquid, with a pleasant odor and slight solubility in water. It is the dimethyl ether derived from pyrocatechol.
Contents
Occurrence
1,2-Dimethoxybenzene is naturally occurring. Its biosynthesis entails the methylation of guaiacol by guaiacol O-methyltransferase. 1,2-Dimethoxybenzene is an insect attractant. Guaiacol O-methyltransferase gene is first scent gene discovered so far in any plant species.
Uses
1,2-Dimethoxybenzene is a building block for the organic synthesis of other aromatic compounds. Veratrole is relatively electron-rich and thus readily undergoes electrophilic substitution.
An example of the use of veratrole is in the synthesis of Domipizone.
Veratrole can easily be brominated with NBS to give 4-bromoveratrole.