Hydroquinone dimethyl ether

Synonyms

1,4-Dimethoxybenzene; 1,4-Dimethoxybenzol; Anisole, p-methoxy-; Benzene, 1,4-dimethoxy-; Benzene, p-dimethoxy-; DMB; Dimethyl ether hydroquinone; Dimethyl hydroquinone; Dimethylether hydrochinonu [Czech]; Dimethylhydroquinone ether; Hydroquinone, dimethyl ether; Methyl p-methoxyphenyl ether; Quinol dimethyl ether; p-Dimethoxybenzene; p-Methoxyanisole; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Ethers, Other

Description

White solid with an odor of sweet clover; [Hawley] Colorless solid; [CAMEO] White crystalline chips; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as a weathering agent in paints and plastics, a fixative in perfumes, and a flavoring additive; Also used in dyes, as a resin intermediate, and in cosmetics and suntan creams; [Hawley]

Comments

Moderate skin irritant; Acts as general anesthetic in lethal-dose feeding studies of rats; [RTECS] Safe as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Emergency treatment: see "Hydroquinone" and "Quinone." [HSDB] No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; "Insufficient data are available on the effect of this substance on human health, therefore utmost care must be taken." [ICSC] An irritant; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

0.087 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

VP from ChemIDplus;

Acute solvent syndrome

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)