catechol

[ kat-i-kawl, -kol ]

noun

1. a colorless, crystalline, dihydroxyl derivative of benzene, C 6 H 6 O 2 , the ortho isomer, used chiefly in photography, for dyeing, and as a reagent; pyrocatechol.

catechol

/ ˈkætɪˌtʃɒl; -ˌkɒl /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline phenol found in resins and lignins; 1,2-dihydroxybenzene. It is used as a photographic developer. Formula: C 6 H 4 (OH) 2 Also calledpyrocatechol

catechol

/ kăt′ĭ-kôl′,-kōl′ /

1. A biologically important organic phenol occurring naturally in lignins and resins. It has two hydroxyl groups attached to a benzene ring. Catechol is very caustic and is used in dyeing and as a photographic developer and an antiseptic. Chemical formula: C 6 H 6 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechol¹

First recorded in 1875–80; catech(u) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechol¹

C20: from catechu + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

Such antimicrobial activity was attributed to a direct contact killing process, where the pathogen is initially attached to the coating by catechol molecules and other polyphenol derivatives.

From Science Daily

It increased most often in the presence of catechol, a large molecule in a building block of wood that was emitted by smoldering fires.

From Scientific American

He and Matt Coggon, a research scientist at NOAA, also found that catechol may play a key role in ozone formation related to wildfires.

From Scientific American

The chart measured the molecular composition of hundreds of different VOCs, but Coggon’s eyes were fixed on catechol, which was now at very high volumes and ticking down rapidly.

From Scientific American

But Coggon had his suspicions about where the catechol was going.

From Scientific American