Mequinol

Mequinol
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-Methoxyphenol
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names
MedlinePlus a682437
Legal status
  • CA: Unscheduled
  • US: Rx-only, Unscheduled
  • Unscheduled
Routes of
administration
Topical
Identifiers
CAS Number 150-76-5 YesY
ATC code D11AX06
PubChem CID 9015
IUPHAR/BPS 6827
ChemSpider 8665 YesY
UNII 6HT8U7K3AM YesY
KEGG D04926 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL544 YesY
Synonyms 4-Hydroxyanisole; para-Guaiacol
Chemical data
Formula C7H8O2
Molar mass 124.13722 g/mol
Physical data
Density 1.55 g/cm3
Melting point 52.5 °C (126.5 °F)
Boiling point 243 °C (469 °F)
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Mequinol, MEHQ or 4-Methoxyphenol, is a phenol used in dermatology[1] and organic chemistry.[2]

Uses

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 solar lentigines, liver spots, or age 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 to inhibit the radical polymerization of monomers (e.g. acrylates or styrene monomers).[2]

Preparation

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

Safety

People can be exposed to 4-methoxyphenol in the workplace by breathing it in, skin absorption, swallowing it, skin contact, and eye contact. The 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 2 Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. "Full Prescribing Information" (PDF). US Food and Drug Admistration. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 Hudnall, Phillip M. (2000). "Hydroquinone". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_499.
  3. Komen, L.; Zwertbroek, L.; Burger, S.J.; van der Veen, J.P.W.; de Rie, M.A.; Wolkerstorfer, A. (2013). "Q-switched laser depigmentation in vitiligo, most effective in active disease". British Journal of Dermatology 169 (6): 1246–1251. doi:10.1111/bjd.12571.
  4. Cristian, Gambarotti; Lucio, Melone; Carlo, Punta; Suresh Udhavrao, Shisodia (2013). "Selective Monoetherification of 1,4-Hydroquinone Promoted by NaNO2". Current Organic Chemistry 17 (10): 1108–1113.
  5. Correale, Mariano; Panseri, Pietro; Romano, Ugo; Minisci, Francesco. "Process for the preparation of mono-ethers of hydroquinones US4933504A". Google Patents. Enichem Synthesis S.P.A. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  6. "CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - 4-Methoxyphenol". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2015-11-20. line feed character in |title= at position 47 (help)
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