3,4-Dimethoxystyrene
3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is an aromatic organic compound. It is a yellow oily liquid with a pleasant floral odor. Normally, it is supplied with 1-2% of the hydroquinone as an additive to prevent oxidation of the compound.
Occurrence
3,4-Dimethoxystyrene has been identified as a naturally occurring component in the liverwort Cyathodium foetidissimum. 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is also found in the essential oil of Brazilian propolis, as well as cereal and coffee products.Uses
- 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is typically used in organic synthesis as a monomer in radical polymerization reactions due to the presence of the electron-deficient double bond. This is similar to the parent compound styrene, which can be polymerized into polystyrene.
- 3,4-dimethoxystyrene can be deprotected using Lewis acid boron tribromide with almost 100% yield. The resulting compound 3,4-dihydroxystyrene is rapidly oxidized in air, which is why 3,4-dimethoxystyrene is preferred as a stable precursor in organic synthesis.
- It is an easily polymerizable precursor to polycatechols as it is less susceptible to oxidation in air than other precursors.