4,4′-Dihydroxybenzophenone is an organic compound with the formula (HOC6H4)2CO. This off-white solid is a precursor to, or a degradation product of, diverse commercial materials. It is a potential endocrine disruptor.[1]

Synthesis

4,4′-Dihydroxybenzophenone is prepared by the rearrangement of p-hydroxyphenylbenzoate:

HOC6H4CO2C6H5 → (HOC6H4)2CO

Alternatively, p-hydroxybenzoic acid can be converted to p-acetoxybenzoyl chloride. This acid chloride reacts with phenol to give, after deacetylation, 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone.

Uses

The main application of 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone is as a UV light stabilizer. It and its derivatives are found in cosmetics, plastics, films, adhesives and coatings, optical fiber, and printed circuit boards. It is the precursor to certain polycarbonate polymers.[2]

References

  1. ^ Eddine, Ali Nasser; von Kries, Jens P.; Podust, Mikhail V.; Warrier, Thulasi; Kaufmann, Stefan H. E.; Podust, Larissa M. (2008). "X-ray structure of 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone mimicking sterol substrate in the active site of sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51)". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 283 (22): 15152–15159. doi:10.1074/jbc.M801145200. PMC 2397474. PMID 18367444. S2CID 22025443.
  2. ^ David Parker, Jan Bussink, Hendrik T. van de Grampe, Gary W. Wheatley, Ernst-Ulrich Dorf, Edgar Ostlinning, Klaus Reinking "Polymers, High-Temperature" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2002.doi:10.1002/14356007.a21_449