Product Information
General Information
Application
Product Introduction
3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid (Protocatechuic Acid, CAS No. 99-50-3) is a naturally occurring phenolic acid widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and edible herbs. It is an important plant secondary metabolite and serves as a valuable research compound in natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, food science, and pharmaceutical research.
Due to its catechol structure, protocatechuic acid exhibits strong chemical reactivity and antioxidant properties, making it a frequently used reference compound for studies involving phenolic compounds, oxidative stress, enzyme activity, and plant metabolite analysis. It is also employed as an analytical standard for chromatographic method development and quality control.
Chemical Properties and Reaction Mechanism
Chemical Information
- Chemical Name: 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid
- Common Name: Protocatechuic Acid
- CAS Number: 99-50-3
- Molecular Formula: C₇H₆O₄
- Molecular Weight: 154.12
- Appearance: White to light beige crystalline powder
- Chemical Class: Phenolic acid
Chemical Characteristics
The molecule contains:
- One carboxylic acid group
- Two adjacent phenolic hydroxyl groups (catechol structure)
These functional groups enable the compound to participate in:
- Oxidation–reduction reactions
- Metal ion chelation
- Hydrogen-bond formation
- Esterification and amidation reactions
- Derivatization for chromatographic analysis
3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is widely utilized in research focused on:
Pharmaceutical Development: This compound serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs.
Cosmetic Formulations: It is used in skincare products for its antioxidant properties, helping to protect the skin from oxidative stress and improve overall skin health.
Food Preservation: The compound acts as a natural preservative due to its antimicrobial properties, making it valuable in the food industry for extending shelf life.
Analytical Chemistry: It is employed as a standard in various analytical techniques, aiding researchers in the quantification of phenolic compounds in environmental samples.
Biotechnology: 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is used in biocatalysis processes, enhancing the efficiency of enzymatic reactions in the production of bio-based chemicals.
Recommended Experimental Conditions
| Parameter | Recommended Conditions |
|---|---|
| Analytical Method | HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS/MS |
| Detection | UV or Mass Spectrometry |
| Solvent | Methanol, ethanol, or aqueous buffer |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry place protected from light |
| Sample Preparation | Prepare fresh solutions for best analytical performance |
Advantages
- Naturally occurring phenolic compound
- Suitable as an analytical reference standard
- High purity for research applications
- Compatible with multiple chromatographic techniques
- Widely used in natural product and food analysis
- Excellent reference material for polyphenol research
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid used for?
It is widely used in natural product research, analytical chemistry, food science, and pharmaceutical research as a reference compound and analytical standard.
Is Protocatechuic Acid a naturally occurring compound?
Yes. It occurs naturally in numerous plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other botanical sources.
Which analytical techniques are commonly used with this compound?
It is commonly analyzed by HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS (after derivatization), and UV spectroscopy.
Can this compound be used as an analytical reference standard?
Yes. It is frequently used for method development, quality control, and compound identification in laboratory research.
Why is the catechol structure important?
The adjacent hydroxyl groups contribute to its redox properties, metal-binding ability, and chemical reactivity, making it valuable for biochemical and analytical studies.
Is this compound suitable for food and botanical analysis?
Yes. It is widely employed in the characterization and quantitative analysis of plant extracts, food products, and natural polyphenols.
How should Protocatechuic Acid be stored?
It should be stored in a cool, dry, and light-protected environment with the container tightly sealed.
Is this product intended for research use only?
Yes. It is intended for laboratory research and analytical applications only.
