What is Resorcinol?
Resorcinol is an isomer of benzene diols. Resorcinol doesn’t occur naturally in its free state, instead it is found in the argan oil. Catechin is a molecule and it is another natural compound that is found present in tea, it consists of the resorcinol skeleton structure in it. Alkylresorcinols act as a marker of a whole-grain diet.
In this article, we will be discussing more on the resorcinol formula along with the resorcinol chemical structure and a few of its properties along with its uses.
IUPAC Name of Resorcinol
The IUPAC name of resorcinol is Benzene-1,3-diol. Resorcinol chemical formula is C6H4(OH)2.
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Structural Formula of Resorcinol
Properties of Resorcinol
The molecular weight of resorcinol is 110.1 g/mol.
The density of resorcinol is 1.28 g/cm3
The boiling point of resorcinol is 277 °C.
The melting point of resorcinol is 110 °C.
It is available as a white solid.
It is soluble in water.
Production of Resorcinol
Resorcinol can be produced by several steps from the benzene, starting with the process of dialkylation with propylene it gives 1,3-diisopropyl benzene as a product. By the further process of oxidation and Hock rearrangement of this di-substituted arene, the end product obtained will be acetone and resorcinol.
There are many other additional routes that exist for the production of resorcinol. It can be produced when a large number of resins namely galbanum and asafoetida are melted in the presence of potassium hydroxide, or by the process of distillation of Brazilwood extract.
It may be synthetically prepared by melting the phenol-3-sulfonic acid, 3-iodophenol, or benzene-1,3-di-sulfonic acid. These are melted in the presence of potassium carbonate by the action of nitrous acid on 3-aminophenol or on 1,3-diaminobenzene. Many ortho-compounds and para-compounds of the aromatic series also yield on the resorcinol on fusion with potassium hydroxide.
Applications of Resorcinol
Medical:
It is found present at two percent or less concentration in topical acne treatments, and at higher concentrations in prescription treatments. Mono-acetyl-resorcinol whose chemical formula is C6H4(OH)(O-COCH3), is used under the name of euresol. Resorcinol acts as one of the active ingredients that are present in products such as Vagisil, Resinol, and Clearasil.
Another form 4-Hexylresorcinol acts as an anesthetic that is found in throat lozenges.
Chemical:
Resorcinol can also be used chemically as an intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and some other organic compounds. It is used in the production of plasticizers, diazo dyes, and a UV absorber in resins.
Resorcinol acts as an analytical reagent for the qualitative determination of ketoses which is also known as Seliwanoff's test.
Resorcinol acts as the starting material for the resorcinarene molecules and for the initiating explosive lead styphnate.
Resorcinol reacts with the chemical formaldehyde in order to form a thermoset resin that can be formed as the basis of an aerogel.
FAQs on Resorcinol Formula
1. Write the Chemical Formula of Resorcinol and Also Mention the IUPAC Name of Resorcinol.
Ans: C6H4(OH)2 is the chemical formula of resorcinol. Benzene-1,3-diol is the resorcinol iupac name.
2. Mention the Resorcinol Formula and Write Down the Properties.
Ans: The formula for resorcinol is C6H4(OH)2, and its properties are as follows:
It appears in the form of White Solid and it turns pink on exposure to air, light, and iron.
The melting point of resorcinol is 1100C.
The Boiling Point of the molecule is 2770C.
The density of the molecule is 1.28 g/cm3.
Molar Mass of the molecule 110.1 g/mol.
It is soluble in water.
Resorcinol molecular weight is about 110.1 g/mol.
3. Mention the Uses of Resorcinol.
Ans: The uses of resorcinol are given below:
It is used in the production of resins.
It is used in the topical treatment of acne.
As an intermediate in the chemical synthesis of organic compounds and pharmaceuticals.
It is used in the production of UV absorbers, plasticizers, and dyes or diazo dyes.
