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methoxyphenol

Methoxyphenol is a class of aromatic compounds based on a benzene ring bearing one hydroxyl substituent (phenol) and one methoxy substituent (-OCH3). The relative positions of these groups on the ring give three structural isomers: ortho-methoxyphenol (o-methoxyphenol, where the hydroxyl and methoxy are adjacent), meta-methoxyphenol (m-methoxyphenol), and para-methoxyphenol (p-methoxyphenol).

The best-known member is guaiacol, the ortho isomer, which corresponds to 2-hydroxy-1-methoxybenzene. Guaiacol occurs naturally in

Occurrence and production methods vary. Methoxyphenols arise as degradation products of lignin in biomass and during

Uses and relevance. In addition to guaiacol’s role as a fragrance and flavor component, methoxyphenols serve

Safety and handling. Like many phenolic compounds, methoxyphenols can be irritants and may pose toxicity risks

wood
smoke
and
in
various
essential
oils
and
is
widely
used
as
a
chemical
intermediate
in
the
production
of
guaiacyl
compounds
and
vanillin.
Other
methoxyphenols
are
less
well
characterized
commercially
but
are
of
interest
as
intermediates
in
organic
synthesis
and
as
components
of
plant-derived
flavor
and
fragrance
profiles.
thermal
processing
of
wood
and
related
materials.
Industrial
routes
include
selective
methoxylation
or
oxidation
of
phenolic
precursors
and
the
extraction
or
distillation
of
lignin-derived
mixtures
to
isolate
individual
methoxyphenol
isomers.
as
chemical
intermediates
for
the
synthesis
of
more
complex
guaiacyl-based
compounds.
They
are
also
studied
for
their
physicochemical
properties,
including
the
influence
of
the
methoxy
group
on
acidity
and
electronic
structure
of
the
aromatic
ring.
at
elevated
exposure.
Appropriate
safety
measures,
including
use
of
protective
equipment
and
adequate
ventilation,
are
advised
in
industrial
or
laboratory
settings.