Guaiacol

Agent Name
Guaiacol
Alternative Name
o-Methoxyphenol
CAS Number
90-05-1
Formula
C7-H8-O2
Major Category
Biological Agents
Guaiacol formula graphical representation
Synonyms
o-Methoxyphenol; 1-Hydroxy-2-methoxybenzene; 2-Hydroxyanisole; 2-Methoxyphenol; Anastil; Guaiacol (natural); Guaiastil; Guaicol; Guaicolina; Guajacol; Guajakol [Czech]; Guajol; Guasol; Methylcatechol; O-Methyl catechol; Phenol, 2-methoxy-; Phenol, o-methoxy-; Pyrocatechol methyl ether; Pyrocatechol monomethyl ether; Pyroguaiac acid; o-Guaiacol; o-Hydroxyanisole; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Plant Oils and Extracts
Description
White or slightly yellow solid or colorless to yellowish liquid; Darkened by light and air; solidifies at 28 deg C (may remain liquid at lower temperatures); [Merck Index] Solid or liquid; mp = 32 deg C; [HSDB] Low melting solid; mp = 28-29 deg C; [MSDSon
Sources/Uses
Naturally occurs in guaiac resin, animal wastes, and essential oils of plants; Used as an antioxidant (for fats, oils, and vitamins), anti-gumming agent in hydrocarbon solvents, anti-skinning agent in surface coatings; flavoring agent, polymerization inhibitor, stimulant expectorant, local anesthetic, and chemical intermediate (medicines, guaiacol compounds, and perfumes); [HSDB]
Comments
Emergency treatment: "Phenol and related agents"; [HSDB] May cause skin and eye irritation; Can be absorbed through skin; [CAMEO] Causes somnolence and acts as a general anesthetic; Causes elevation of transaminase enzymes; Mild eye irritant in rabbits; [RTECS] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] An irritant; [MSDSonline] See "Phenol."
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Vapor Pressure
0.103 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mice) = 7,570 mg/m3
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold = 0.001-0.002 ppm (recognition); [CHEMINFO]

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: