Identification | Back Directory | [Name]
2,4-DIHYDROXY-6-METHYLBENZOIC ACID | [CAS]
480-64-8 | [Synonyms]
133346 Orsellic acid o-orsellinicaci ORSELLINIC ACID o-orsellinic acid ORSELLINIC ACID MONOHYDRATE 2-Methyl-4,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 6-Methyl-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 2,4-DIHYDROXY-6-METHYLBENZOIC ACID Benzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-Methyl- 2,4-Dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid hydrate, 97% | [Molecular Formula]
C8H8O4 | [MDL Number]
MFCD00210536 | [MOL File]
480-64-8.mol | [Molecular Weight]
168.15 |
Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Melting point ]
173-174°C | [Boiling point ]
257.07°C (rough estimate) | [density ]
1.3037 (rough estimate) | [refractive index ]
1.5090 (estimate) | [storage temp. ]
Sealed in dry,Room Temperature | [solubility ]
Ethyl Acetate (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly) | [form ]
Solid | [pka]
pK (25°) 3.90 | [color ]
White to Pale Gray | [Water Solubility ]
Soluble in water, dimethyl sulfoxide or 100% ethanol. | [Stability:]
Hygroscopic | [CAS DataBase Reference]
480-64-8 |
Hazard Information | Back Directory | [Description]
Orsellinic acid is a fungal metabolite and benzoic acid derivative with antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. It scavenges 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; ) radicals with an IC50 value of 5 mM. Orsellinic acid (1 μg/ml) prevents PARP cleavage induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in PC12-AC cells and PAF-induced cytotoxicity in PAF receptor null (Pafr-/-) mouse cerebellar granule cells. | [Uses]
Orsellinic acid is a benzoic acid compound shown to block PAF-mediated neuronal apoptosis. | [Definition]
ChEBI: A dihydroxybenzoic acid that is 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid in which the hydrogen at position 6 is replaced by a methyl group. | [Biosynthesis]
One of the simplest polyketide derivatives, orsellinic acid is widely distributed in fungi. It is biosynthesised from an acetate starter unit and three malonyl units, as shown in Figure. Intramolecular condensation of the polyketide chain gives orsellinic acid without further modification.

The biosynthesis of orsellinic acid.
| [Synthesis Reference(s)]
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 30, p. 3566, 1965 DOI: 10.1021/jo01021a507 | [storage]
Store at -20°C |
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