HYDROQUINOL Meaning and
Definition
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Hydroquinol, also known as 1,4-dihydroxybenzene, is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of organic compounds known as phenols. It consists of a benzene ring with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached at the adjacent positions, resulting in a molecular formula of C6H6O2.
Hydroquinol is a colorless crystalline solid with a sweet, aromatic odor. It is slightly soluble in water, but readily dissolves in most organic solvents. This compound is primarily used in the manufacturing of photographic developers and dyes, as it acts as a reducing agent. Hydroquinol plays a vital role in the photoprocessing of black and white films, where it converts the metallic silver ions into metallic silver, resulting in the formation of the image.
In addition to its applications in photography, hydroquinol also finds utility in various other industries. It is employed as an antioxidant in the food industry to prevent oxidation and maintain the quality of products, such as vegetable oils and sauces. Furthermore, hydroquinol is frequently used in the production of rubber, where it acts as a stabilizer, preventing degradation caused by heat, light, and oxygen exposure.
However, it is important to note that hydroquinol can be toxic and may cause skin and eye irritation. It should be handled with care, and proper protective measures should be taken when dealing with this compound.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYDROQUINOL
- gydroquinol
- bydroquinol
- nydroquinol
- jydroquinol
- uydroquinol
- yydroquinol
- htdroquinol
- hgdroquinol
- hhdroquinol
- hudroquinol
- h7droquinol
- h6droquinol
- hysroquinol
- hyxroquinol
- hycroquinol
- hyfroquinol
- hyrroquinol
- hyeroquinol
- hydeoquinol
- hyddoquinol
Etymology of HYDROQUINOL
The word "hydroquinol" is derived from the combination of two parts: "hydro" and "quinol".
The prefix "hydro-" comes from the Greek word "hudro" or "hudra", meaning water. In chemistry, the hydro- prefix is used to denote the presence of hydrogen or the addition of hydrogen to a compound.
The term "quinol" is derived from the word "quinone" and the suffix "-ol". "Quinone" refers to a class of organic compounds that contain a six-membered carbon ring with two oxygen atoms. The suffix "-ol" indicates that the compound is an alcohol or contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to it.
Combining these two parts, "hydroquinol" indicates a compound that contains both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a quinone structure in its chemical composition.
