Mequinol
Mequinol, MeHQ or 4-methoxyphenol, is a phenol used in dermatology and organic chemistry.Uses
Dermatology
Mequinol is a common active ingredient in topical drugs used for skin depigmentation. As a topical drug mequinol is often mixed with tretinoin, a topical retinoid. A common formulation for this drug is an ethanolic solution of 2% mequinol and 0.01% tretinoin by mass. Dermatologists commonly prescribe the drug to treat solar lentigines, liver spots, or age spots.
Lower dosages of mequinol have been used in conjunction with a Q-switched laser to depigment skin in patients with disseminated idiopathic vitiligo.In organic chemistry 4-methoxyphenol is used as a polymerisation inhibitor.Preparation
4-Methoxyphenol is produced from p-benzoquinone and methanol via a free radical reaction.People can be exposed to 4-methoxyphenol in the workplace by breathing it in, skin absorption, swallowing it, skin contact, and eye contact. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has set a recommended exposure limit of 5 mg/m3 over an 8-hour workday.
