Mequinol
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mequinol, MeHQ or 4-methoxyphenol, is an organic compound with the formula CH3OC6H4OH. 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]
administrationTopical
 | |
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Other names | 4-Hydroxyanisole; para-Guaiacol |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
| MedlinePlus | a682437 |
| Routes of administration | Topical |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
|
| Identifiers | |
| |
| CAS Number | |
| PubChem CID | |
| IUPHAR/BPS | |
| ChemSpider | |
| UNII | |
| KEGG | |
| ChEMBL | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.246 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C7H8O2 |
| Molar mass | 124.139 g·mol−1 |
| Density | 1.55 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 52.5 °C (126.5 °F) |
| Boiling point | 243 °C (469 °F) |
| |
| (verify) | |
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
- Monobenzone (benzyloxyphenol)
- Hydroquinone
- Guaiacol
- 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde