2-Methylanthraquinone

2-Methylanthraquinone, also known as β-methylanthraquinone and tectoquinone, is an organic compound which is a methylated derivative of anthraquinone. An off-white solid, it is an important precursor to many dyes. It is present in the wood of the teak tree, where it gives the tree resistance to insects.

Synthesis and reactions

The compound is produced by a double electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of toluene with phthalic anhydride.
It can be chlorinated to give 1-chloro-2-methylanthraquinone. Nitration gives 1-nitro-2-methylanthraquinone, which can be reduced to 1-amino-2-methyl derivative. Oxidation of the methyl group gives anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid.