People noticed the character of aromatic oxidation products back in the 1800s, and o-quinone (ortho-quinone) fell under that early wave of curiosity in organic chemistry. Chemists spent years separating plant pigments and noticing vivid yellow and orange substances, finally figuring out the structures through dogged isolation and elemental analysis. Over time, research labs moved from using painstaking natural extraction techniques to scalable chemical synthesis. This transition helped o-quinone become accessible far beyond botanical laboratories. Its story tracks right alongside the growth of fine chemical manufacturing, with advances in both scientific understanding and technology shaping the forms we see on shelves and in research kits today.
Most folks will encounter o-quinone as a deep yellow solid or sometimes even an orange powder, depending on purity and storage. Laboratories order it to probe redox chemistry, and industrial formulators look at how this molecule changes the color and reactivity of blends. A bottle of o-quinone rarely sits around for long. The compound tends to demand attention with its strong, acrid odor and pronounced coloring power. Over years in chemical supply and research, the strongest impression always comes from its ability to transform quickly during experiments, producing dramatic shifts and serving as a chemical signal for redox processes.
O-quinone carries the formula C6H4O2, forming needle-like crystals if purified well. Its melting point often sits around 115°C. Many describe it as volatile, and that sharp, slightly medicinal odor lingers in glassware. Place it under UV light or expose it to common reducing agents—it responds quickly, accepting electrons to form dihydroxybenzenes like catechol. The compound dissolves in alcohol, ether, or hot water, but water alone does not cut it for many preparations. Once an o-quinone sample opens to air, moisture and atmospheric oxygen can lead to darkening or decomposition, making storage and handling best done with a tight seal and desiccator.
Chemical suppliers present o-quinone with strict labeling that emphasizes both concentration and purity, which varies from 95% to ultra-high grade near 99%. Labels will note the CAS number 533-73-3, molecular mass, and include hazard pictograms warning about toxicity and environmental impact. Shipment paperwork lists manufacturer batch numbers, recommended use-by dates, and clear instructions to minimize inhalation and skin contact. Regulations in the EU and North America increasingly push for comprehensive safety folders, especially with known toxicity research reviewed by regulatory agencies and workplace safety bodies.
Classic lab syntheses lean on oxidation. Most undergraduate labs and research groups follow a route via oxidation of catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) with agents like chromic acid or ferric chloride. Industrial suppliers scale up using milder oxidants, often oxygen under pressure, to maintain yield and keep impurity levels low. Some routes call for periodate salts, making the process more controllable and generating less hazardous byproduct. Despite new green chemistry methods, the basic two-step remains dominant: oxidize catechol, then rapidly separate and purify the forming quinone before further reactions or decomposition affect viability.
O-quinone makes itself useful through how easily it changes. React it with nucleophiles, and the molecule welcomes additions across the carbonyl groups. Reduce it gently, and catechol or hydroquinone pop out, offering classic undergraduate chemistry experiments that introduce students to proton-coupled electron transfer. The compound appears as a reactant in Diels-Alder reactions, crafting more complex ring systems—something that keeps synthetic chemists coming back for more. Derivatization with amines or alcohols spins off a family of colored quinonoid products. I’ve watched its application expand as coupling groups or as intermediate in organic dye and pharmaceutical pathways, proving o-quinone’s flexibility.
O-quinone sometimes goes by ortho-benzoquinone, o-benzoquinone, or cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione. In catalogs, abbreviation conventions shift with supplier habits, but researchers see these names used interchangeably. Academic and patent literature prefers the IUPAC name but older protocols, especially in dye chemistry and plant studies, might simply say "o-quinone" and trust that chemists know what’s on the bench. The label matters when cross-checking safety sheets, since synonym confusion can cause regulatory headaches or even process errors.
Working with o-quinone calls for real caution. This compound causes acute irritation and toxicity through inhalation, skin contact, or accidental ingestion. Wearing nitrile gloves and goggles started as a department rule and became second nature for most chemists with more than a few years of bench experience. Ventilation is non-negotiable; small drops left open can raise a warning smell in the air, signaling the need for a fume hood. Material safety data sheets highlight risks to aquatic environments and recommend disposal through certified chemical waste services instead of routine drains or trash. As with all aromatic oxidants, training and strict adherence to protocols build a safe work culture around o-quinone.
O-quinone brings a versatility that fuels research in biology, synthetic chemistry, and environmental analysis. Protein chemists use it to probe enzyme mechanisms—some enzymes treat it as a mimic for natural intermediates. Dye industries still look to o-quinone chemistry for designing new molecular scaffolds with tuning optical properties. It enables cross-linking in specialized adhesives and resins. Analytical labs adopted it as a colorimetric agent for sensitive detection of antioxidants and phenolic contaminants in water or food. I’ve sat in meetings where teams discussed o-quinone as a starting node for developing redox-sensitive pharmaceuticals and smart material coatings. The wide scope comes from both its chemical reactivity and the bold visual signals it produces in reactions.
Current research shows a strong pull towards greener and safer oxidation techniques, aiming to reduce waste and energy usage. Chemists across the globe work on catalyst systems and electrochemical cells, seeking ways to streamline o-quinone production. Biomimetic approaches, inspired by enzyme systems, hope to unlock new routes to functionalized quinones with higher selectivity. In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology worlds, the push is on for new o-quinone derivatives that fine-tune biological activity. As grant cycles roll forward, more interdisciplinary projects crop up, linking synthetic methodology with environmental monitoring and materials science. Even spectroscopists get involved, since o-quinone’s strong UV-visible absorption profile allows new ways to track redox kinetics and metabolic processes.
Toxicology findings flag o-quinone as a risk both for acute effects and longer-term environmental buildup. Studies identify cellular toxicity at low micromolar concentrations, and recent animal research maps clear patterns of skin and mucous membrane irritation. Environmental regulators watch for phenolic derivatives in wastewater, knowing o-quinone can play a role as an intermediate product in industrial effluent breakdown. Researchers pay close attention to DNA-binding behavior, since quinones in general interact through redox cycling and promote oxidative stress in biological tissue. All these signs push industry and academia to tighten containment, improve handling, and develop closed-system processing where possible. Increased transparency in reporting exposure outcomes and waste handling practices follows E-E-A-T guidelines, supporting both workplace safety and public confidence.
The years ahead look promising for o-quinone’s role in advanced chemistry and technology. New synthetic techniques will likely shrink production footprints and cut hazardous byproduct. Interdisciplinary teams bet on o-quinone scaffolds as launch pads for antimicrobial agents, organic batteries, and smart sensors. Environmental chemists keep pressing for biomarkers and remediation agents that build on the unique reactivity of this compound. As researchers refine safety guidelines, develop less hazardous derivatives, and push towards carbon-neutral synthesis, o-quinone stands as a classic molecule adapting to modern concerns—blending the lessons of history with a strong push for sustainable progress in chemistry and materials research.
O-quinone sounds like something tucked away in a chemistry textbook, but it often finds its way into more practical places than folks might realize. Scientists see o-quinone as a building block for many compounds. Rather than staying an academic novelty, it shows up in important parts of our daily world, especially in manufacturing and health-related research. Chemists study molecules like this for the connections between everyday life, medicine, and industry, not just for wins in trivia contests.
This molecule pops up in the production of dyes and pigments. It's part of what gives certain materials their deep, rich colors—reds, yellows, browns. In my early days working with specialty inks, o-quinone structures always seemed to hover near the bench, ready to tweak a batch’s tone or stability. Dye makers rely on it to keep colors from fading over time, because these molecules don’t give up their electrons easily. This durability isn’t just cosmetic. Medical devices, electronics, and plastics all demand colors that don’t run when exposed to light or chemicals.
This isn’t just about coloring things pretty. O-quinone groups show up in certain medicines produced to treat infections or cancer. Back in graduate school, the work around quinones fascinated me. Many drugs, especially some antibiotics and anti-tumor agents, depend on this structure because it interacts strongly with living cells. For doctors and patients, the stakes go beyond shelf-stability. Quinone chemistry can target unhealthy cells far more precisely than blunter pharmaceutical tools. Modern drug companies spend big money trying to build on this skeleton, tuning and tweaking its shape so it sticks where it matters most and leaves healthy tissue alone.
As useful as o-quinone proves in labs and factories, it doesn’t always play nice. These highly reactive compounds can cause trouble for living organisms, too. Antioxidant research, for instance, focuses hard on blocking or counteracting quinones in our bodies. Chronic exposure—either in the workplace or long-term via products—brings risks. Prolonged contact can lead to skin irritation or, in complicated cases, DNA damage. I’ve seen researchers double and triple-check their gloves and ventilation when these chemicals leave their bottles. Good science here means strict safety standards and clear labeling, and anything less brings real consequences, not just regulatory fines.
Cleaner and safer alternatives—sometimes derived from plants—offer hope for those who want o-quinone results without the baggage. Researchers keep trying to build molecules that mimic the strengths of o-quinone, without landing the same blows to the environment or health. Some teams experiment with green solvents and recyclable catalysts. There’s no silver bullet, as every factory and lab has its own challenges, but the drive to do better runs deep. Watching people collaborate across borders and backgrounds—chemists, toxicologists, engineers—gives me faith in science to smooth the rough edges without sacrificing progress.
Interest in chemicals like O-Quinone has ballooned recently, popping up in discussions from industrial chemistry to medical research. Folks are curious about whether this compound stands as a safe bet for human use, given its activity in all sorts of reactions. I spend a lot of time reading scientific reports and talking with researchers, which offers a ringside seat to how these decisions about chemical safety come together.
The name O-Quinone covers a family of aromatic compounds that draw attention for their role as oxidizing agents. In the lab, they speed up reactions and bring real punch to organic chemistry. Some research squads have explored using O-Quinones in drugs, trying to harness their reactivity for good. Yet, I always err on the side of caution before labeling a compound safe for people, especially when the data remains thin on the ground.
Studies show O-Quinones can react with proteins and DNA inside the body. That matters, because when molecules break into a cell’s building blocks, things sometimes go wrong. Mutations, allergic reactions, or basic cell damage aren’t outcomes to shrug off. Several research papers detail how O-Quinones bind to amino acids and nucleic acids, setting off chains of events that can end with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, for anyone unfamiliar, pushes cells into distress and is linked to problems ranging from inflammation to cancer. Researchers based some of these findings on animal models and studies in petri dishes—useful, but not a straight road to predicting human results.
Government agencies across the world regulate how chemicals enter products. In the US, the FDA and EPA check data before letting new chemicals loose in food, drugs, or the environment. At the moment, O-Quinone has not passed these checks for drugs or consumer products by any major regulatory agency. Agencies demand detailed data on toxicity, long-term impact, how a chemical breaks down in the body, and effects on reproduction or development. O-Quinone's dossier doesn’t meet the bar here.
Most manufacturers keep O-Quinone locked up for use in research or tightly controlled industrial processes. Lab workers follow strict protocols—gloves, ventilation, and careful disposal. A chemistry professor I know cautions her students about O-Quinone exposure, warning that spills or fumes need cleaning up right away. That on-the-ground experience confirms what the science suggests: respect the risks until proven otherwise.
To tackle worries over O-Quinone, the scientific community would benefit from long-term animal studies, full toxicology screenings, and better tracking of workers exposed to small doses over years. This level of scrutiny takes time, money, and some careful thinking about public health. If companies or researchers push for medical or public uses, regulators need independent studies done with open data—no shortcuts, no hidden surprises. Funding should go to teams outside of those with skin in the game, letting results speak clearly. Open communication about new findings builds trust and lets consumers, policymakers, and scientists keep up with the risks and benefits.
People want confidence that what ends up in medicine, food, or cosmetics has cleared real hurdles. Until O-Quinone clears those hurdles, skepticism looks like the right call. Folk wisdom from the lab applies: don’t cut corners, and never assume a compound is harmless without evidence. Earned trust beats blind faith every day of the week. O-Quinone’s future in human use depends on real-world proof and transparent science. Right now, respect for the risks keeps doors closed until more answers surface.
People pay close attention to new chemicals, especially ones that keep popping up in medical research and industrial settings like O-Quinone. My own time working in a chemical processing plant taught me that it’s not just the big hazards you watch for. Little exposures, slow leaks, accidental skin contact — these sit in the blind spots, creating trouble long before somebody’s running for a shower or calling emergency services.
Handling O-Quinone can spark trouble right away. The first thing that sticks out is skin irritation. A friend developed red, itchy patches after spilling trace amounts during a shift. Eyes start burning, even from vapor. Coughs get rough if the stuff lingers in the air, especially without a tight-fitting mask. These things seem small until you start comparing notes and realize most of the crew has had the same complaints over time.
Gastrointestinal problems sneak up after accidental ingestion or poor hand-washing practices. Folks complain of nausea and stomach aches. For those with asthma, breathing in O-Quinone dust gets scary fast—chest tightness and shortness of breath set in. Through my years on the line, the number of workers reporting headaches or dizziness always spiked after working extended hours near places where O-Quinone got handled.
Home isn’t much safer if O-Quinone hitchhikes on shoes or clothes. Children and pets are at real risk for chemical burns or other skin conditions. Local clinics see an uptick in unexplained rashes and respiratory complaints any time a spill happens near residential areas. Aside from first aid, repeated contact seems to raise the odds of developing allergies or skin sensitivity to chemicals in general.
Long-term effects turn up, too — chronic exposure links to liver and kidney strain. Studies out of Asia looked at workers handling colored dyes with O-Quinone and found early signs of fatty liver and elevated liver enzymes. The CDC lists kidney problems among occupational risks for long-term handlers. In a few cases, bone marrow changes—a possible red flag for blood cancers—appeared after long-term, high-level exposure.
Transparent labeling and real training change the outcome more than any technical solution. At my old job, only after a couple of incidents did management invest in gloves rated for chemical splash, not just basic latex. Eye protection that seals to the face, proper fume extraction, and strict locker room protocols for taking off gear before heading home — these changes slashed the frequency of complaints.
Companies that set strict air quality limits see fewer respiratory issues. Digital sensors for airborne chemicals let crews react fast, not after feeling sick. Schools can work with local clinics to monitor community health and warn about spikes in chemical-linked health problems. These aren’t high-tech fixes. They rely on open reporting, accessible data, and a willingness to pay attention when workers speak up.
If you live near a facility or handle this stuff at home, pay attention to odd smells, skin changes, or coughs that won’t quit. Get proper protective gear and keep emergency contact info handy. Demand clear information from local plants about what chemicals they use and how they handle spills. Carpool safety briefings at my plant worked better than any dry handout. Sharing practical advice gave everyone a real shot at noticing small changes before they became medical emergencies.
Working in a lab that handles quinones changes the way you think about chemical storage. Take o-Quinone. Not just any brown powder—this stuff reacts with air, light, and even a bit of leftover humidity. People think, “Just keep it cool and in the dark.” Too simple. If you have ever watched a bottle turn from crisp yellow to a murky brown, you know that proper storage can't get ignored.
O-Quinone breaks down because it fights with oxygen and light. Exposing it to air leads to a chain reaction: oxidation, forming side products no one needs. Some shipments already arrive slightly discolored; you open a bottle in a humid room, then wonder why your experiment flops.
Research journals point out that o-Quinone keeps best at low temperatures—ideally, below 8°C. The lab fridge serves a vital purpose here. A tightly sealed amber vial, placed away from the front and wrapped in foil, will keep out both the light and the guessing game over purity. The freezer brings even better shelf life, but condensation gets tricky. Moisture entering after each thaw wears down the powder.
A study from the Journal of Chemical Education stressed that even quick transfers from fridge to bench can cause degradation if you don’t dry the neck after opening. Desiccant packs in your storage box help, especially in clammy climates. Once, I watched a colleague reach for a bottle, open it, and only later notice a crust—trouble started weeks earlier, just from air sneaking in while weighing out samples.
A casual approach ruins more material than researchers like to admit. Some labs ignore the difference between open shelves and closed cabinets. Open shelves catch light, and glass bottles love to host condensation inside caps. On one occasion, I noticed someone storing o-Quinone in clear containers. A few days of ambient light transformed the contents. It looked much darker, and the yield dropped in later reactions.
Rooms with big temperature swings make things worse. If your storage space shifts from chilly overnight to warm by the afternoon, cycles of expansion and contraction stress vial seals. Microcracks let in air so quietly you won’t see changes until the damage sets in.
Investing in proper storage pays off not only for safety, but also for budgets—o-Quinone isn’t cheap. I recommend using amber-glass, airtight bottles, each clearly labeled with opening and resealing dates. Double-wrapping with foil keeps stray light out. For even more security, store small amounts in several containers instead of a single large one. This minimizes repeated opening.
Labs can designate a single fridge shelf for air-sensitive reagents, holding silica gel packs and clear warning labels. Training every new lab member on this process saves time and materials in the long run. Rotating stock and regularly checking for color changes signals when it’s time to order fresh supplies.
Safe disposal matters, too. Old or degraded o-Quinone should go straight to chemical waste—never back in the cupboard.
Handling o-Quinone with respect reduces both accident risk and frustration from failed reactions. Smart storage relies on real practice—cool, dry, airtight, and protected from light. Labs that focus on these details notice more consistent results and less wasted effort. Speaking from experience, investing a little attention into chemical storage always pays for itself in safer, smoother research down the line.
O-Quinone enters the conversation more these days as researchers tag it in studies about antioxidants or possible new treatments. People check labels or look online, hoping to find clear advice. Whether someone worries about side effects or wants to jump on wellness trends, finding the right dosage remains a challenge. Even in science, data does not arrive in a neat package, and everyone’s health history shapes how a substance acts in the body.
Getting honest about dosage always brings the conversation back to two places: official medical sources and real research. The FDA and leading regulators have not approved O-Quinone as a prescription medication. That means there is no set reference dose that fits all people. Most information comes from small clinical trials, scattered research papers, or—sometimes—a manufacturer’s own guidelines, which may lack rigorous study. No one wants to mess with their health by winging it.
O-Quinone has shown up in some laboratory studies at concentrations ranging from microgram to milligram levels per kilogram of body weight. Those numbers float around scientific journals, not daily life. The jump from Petri dish or animal model to human use remains unfinished. No doctor hands out standard tablets with clear labeling. In the best case, a research team running a clinical trial might give a tightly controlled dose in a hospital or a university lab.
High hopes often run ahead of hard proof. People hear that O-Quinone shows promise as an antioxidant, so they look for supplements or unverified products online. I’ve watched friends reach for the latest powder or capsule, thinking if a little might help, a bit more won’t hurt. That strategy can backfire—especially with compounds that have not been tested for long-term safety in humans.
Cells rely on balance. Excess antioxidants sometimes flip the script and cause harm, not healing. No one can guarantee that O-Quinone, in a supplement form at unknown concentrations, won’t cause trouble for the liver, kidneys, or immune system. For people with health conditions or those taking other medications, drug interactions can spring up where no one expects them. Real harm comes from guessing or trusting sources that place profit over people.
The science community would serve everyone best by running more careful clinical trials—research that looks at different doses, duration, age groups, and any long-term impacts. Doctors then could give genuine advice, rooted in fact, not marketing.
In the meantime, people interested in O-Quinone for health purposes should talk with their healthcare provider. Beyond that, most ethical advice boils down to this: Avoid self-medication, especially with products not approved or standardized in any major health system. Trust comes from evidence, not hype.
O-Quinone’s story in medicine stays open. Until more gets published and regulators weigh in, the safest dose is none at all—unless part of a monitored clinical trial. Personal experience and stories help spark interest, but shared health requires careful study and guidance every step of the way.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione |
| Pronunciation | /ˌoʊ.kwɪˈnoʊn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 526-31-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1208732 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:48132 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL38335 |
| ChemSpider | 19006 |
| DrugBank | DB08290 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.002.903 |
| EC Number | 1.10.3.2 |
| Gmelin Reference | 110154 |
| KEGG | C00442 |
| MeSH | D016692 |
| PubChem CID | 6780 |
| RTECS number | DC3325000 |
| UNII | G07650H31F |
| UN number | 2811 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H4O2 |
| Molar mass | 108.094 g/mol |
| Appearance | reddish-brown solid |
| Odor | pungent |
| Density | 1.18 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 1.03 |
| Vapor pressure | 10 mmHg (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 5.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 15.8 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | 1.6 × 10^-4 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.340 |
| Viscosity | Low viscosity liquid |
| Dipole moment | 2.9846 Debye |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 172.2 J∙mol⁻¹∙K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -51.4 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -194 kJ mol⁻¹ |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D05BB02 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS05, GHS06, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS06 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H301 + H311 + H331: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. H335: May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P261, P280, P304+P340, P312, P403+P233 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 3-2-2-ox |
| Flash point | 33 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 265 °C (509 °F; 538 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (rat, oral): 670 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 426 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | QUA53250 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 0.1 ppm |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.05 |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 50 ppm |
