3methyl5hydroxyphenol

3methyl5hydroxyphenol, also known as 5-hydroxy-m-cresol or orcinol monomethyl ether, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C7H8O2. It is a derivative of phenol, featuring a methyl group and a hydroxyl group attached to the benzene ring. Specifically, the hydroxyl group is at position 1, the methyl group is at position 3, and another hydroxyl group is at position 5. This arrangement of substituents classifies it as a resorcinol derivative.

The physical properties of 3methyl5hydroxyphenol include its appearance as a crystalline solid, typically white or off-white. It has a characteristic odor. Its solubility in water is moderate, and it is generally soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. The compound exhibits properties typical of phenols, including weakly acidic behavior due to the hydroxyl group.

3methyl5hydroxyphenol can be synthesized through various organic chemistry routes. Its applications are primarily found in research and development settings, often serving as a building block or intermediate in the synthesis of more complex organic molecules. It may also be used in analytical chemistry or as a reagent in specific chemical reactions. Further research may explore its potential in other industrial or pharmaceutical applications.