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Cosmetic colorants and hair dyes

Catechol

Also known as pyrocatechol, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2-benzenediol

CAS 120-80-9Formula C6H6O2Molar mass 110.11 g/molEC 204-427-5
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Serious health hazard 109 suppliers listed
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Catechol chemical structure, C6H6O2, CAS 120-80-9
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Monoclinic tablets, prisms from toluene its aqueous solutions soon turn brown
Melting point
105 °C
Boiling point
245.5 °C
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.3
Flash point
127 °C
HS code
290729
Category
Cosmetic colorants and hair dyes
UN number
UN 2811
Illustrative photo, closed jumbo bulk bags in a warehouse in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Catechol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Catechol is a benzenediol comprising of a benzene core carrying two hydroxy substituents ortho to each other. It has a role as a genotoxin, an allelochemical and a plant metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a catecholate(1-).

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
benzene-1,2-diol
CAS number
120-80-9 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 12385-08-9, 26982-53-6
EC number
204-427-5
Molecular formula
C6H6O2
UNII
LF3AJ089DQ
MDL number
MFCD00002188
INCI name
PYROCATECHOL
InChIKey
YCIMNLLNPGFGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C6H6O2/c7-5-3-1-2-4-6(5)8/h1-4,7-8H
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C1=CC=C(C(=C1)O)O

Synonyms

  • pyrocatechol
  • 1,2-dihydroxybenzene
  • 1,2-benzenediol
  • benzene-1,2-diol
  • pyrocatechin
  • 2-hydroxyphenol
  • o-Dihydroxybenzene
  • o-Hydroxyphenol
  • o-Benzenediol
  • o-Dioxybenzene
  • o-Hydroquinone
  • Phthalhydroquinone
  • Pyrocatechine
  • o-Phenylenediol
  • Oxyphenic acid
  • Fouramine PCH
  • Pelagol Grey C
  • Durafur developer C
  • Catechin (phenol)
  • Fourrine 68
  • Benzene, o-dihydroxy-
  • Catechol (phenol)
  • o-Diphenol
  • C.I. Oxidation Base 26
  • ortho-Hydroxyphenol
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Pyrokatechin
  • Pyrokatechol
  • Katechol
  • ortho-Dihydroxybenzene
  • ortho-Benzenediol
  • ortho-Dioxybenzene
  • ortho-Hydroquinone
  • ortho-Phenylenediol
  • Pyrocatechinic acid
  • Phthalic alcohol
  • CI Oxidation Base 26
  • C.I. 76500
  • CI 76500
  • 1,2 dihydroxybenzene

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Monoclinic tablets, prisms from toluene its aqueous solutions soon turn brownexp.
Odour
Faint characteristic odorexp.
Taste
Sweet and bitter tasteexp.
Melting point
105 °Cexp.
Boiling point
245.5 °Cexp.
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.3exp.
Flash point
127 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
510 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 4.61 × 10⁺⁵ mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
VP: 10 mm Hg at 118.3 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
110.11 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
110.0368 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
1.1calc.
Topological polar surface area
40.46 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
2calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
2calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
8calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard
130NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H301Toxic if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H341Suspected of causing genetic defects.
  • H350May cause cancer.
Precautionary statements (19)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 2811
Transport hazard class
6.1
Packing group
III

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Catechol suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 109 suppliers
30 of 30 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

109 suppliers in 22 countries

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Catechol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Antiseptic (former US), photography, dyestuffs, electroplating, specialty inks, antioxidants and light stabilizers, organic synthesis.

Antioxidant in the rubber, chemical, photographic, dye, fat, and oil industries. It is also employed in cosmetics as couplers in oxidative hair dyes, but is no longer used as an antiseptic.

Synthesis of food, pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel concludes that pyrocatechol is unsafe for use in leave-on products and that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of pyrocatechol as used in hair dyes. This conclusion supersedes the earlier conclusion issued by the Expert Panel in 1985.

Catechol is used as a photographic developer, a developer for fur dyes, as an intermediate for antioxidants in rubber and lubricating oils, in polymerization inhibitors, and in pharmaceuticals.

Industrial uses: Intermediate.

Consumer uses: Intermediate.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name PYROCATECHOL(hair dyeing)

Roles

  • aetiopathogenetic role
  • allelochemical
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • genotoxin
  • metabolite
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Dye
  • Flavouring and nutrient

Cosmetic functions

  • Hair dyeing

How it is made

Catechol is currently manufactured together with hydroquinone by direct hydroxylation of phenol with peroxides. ... the reaction mixture is separated by distillation in different distillation columns. Water is removed, low-boiling fractions (solvents, ketone etc.) and unreacted phenol are recovered and recycled, the catechol fraction is made into a flaked product, and hydroquinone is purified by recrystallization of the corresponding fraction from water.

Pyrocatechol may be obtained by the fusion of o-phenolsulfonic acid with alkali, by heating o-chlorophenol with a solution of sodium hydroxid

Read more

e at 200 °C in an autoclave, or by cleavage of the methyl ether group of guaiacol (obtained from beechwood tar) with hydroidic acid.

Prepared by treating salicylaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide, or from its monomethyl ether (guaiacol) by treatment with hydrobromic acid.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 604-016-00-4

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Pyrocatechol (Catechol), Ref no: 408, Annex ref: II/408

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Catechol is traded under.

HS 2907.29Indicative HS code

Polyphenols, phenol-alcohols, other

World exports in 2024
$535M
−27.0% vs 2023, imports $565M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. India * partner reported17.7%
  2. Germany16.5%
  3. Japan15.8%
Top importers
  1. United States13.1%
  2. Japan8.0%
  3. Belgium7.9%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Catechol is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Catechol, based on the data on this page

What is Catechol?

Catechol is a benzenediol comprising of a benzene core carrying two hydroxy substituents ortho to each other. It has a role as a genotoxin, an allelochemical and a plant metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a catecholate(1-).

What is the CAS number of Catechol?

The CAS registry number of Catechol is 120-80-9. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 12385-08-9, 26982-53-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Catechol?

The molecular formula of Catechol is C6H6O2 and its molar mass is 110.11 g/mol.

What is Catechol used for?

Antiseptic (former US), photography, dyestuffs, electroplating, specialty inks, antioxidants and light stabilizers, organic synthesis. Antioxidant in the rubber, chemical, photographic, dye, fat, and oil industries.

Is Catechol hazardous?

Catechol carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, causes skin irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Catechol?

Catechol is usually classified under HS code 290729 (Polyphenols, phenol-alcohols, other). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Catechol?

CompoundList lists 109 suppliers of Catechol in United States, China, United Kingdom, Germany and 18 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Catechol in India?

5 suppliers in India list Catechol on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Catechol?

Suppliers quote Catechol on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Catechol

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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