99% Purity 5-Hexylresorcinol CAS 5465-20-3

IUPAC Name:​ 5-Hexylbenzene-1,3-diol

Common Name:​ 5-Hexylresorcinol

CAS Registry Number:​ 5465-20-3

Molecular Formula:​ C₁₂H₁₈O₂

Molecular Weight:​ 194.27 g/mol

Chemical Structure:​ A resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) derivative with a linear hexyl chain (-C₆H₁₃) substituted at the 5-position of the aromatic ring.

Appearance:​ Typically appears as white to light-beige crystalline flakes or powder.

Key Features:​ Combines the aromatic diol reactivity of resorcinol with the lipophilic character of a hexyl chain, making it amphiphilic.

Melting Point:​ ~68-72 °C.

Solubility:​ Moderately soluble in organic solvents (ethanol, acetone, ether, chloroform). Very low solubility in water.

Reactivity:

   Acidic Phenolic Groups:​ Can form salts, esters, and ethers.

   Electrophilic Substitution:​ The aromatic ring is activated for substitution (e.g., halogenation, acylation) due to the two electron-donating hydroxyl groups.

   Chelation Potential:​ Can act as a bidentate ligand for metal ions.

   Antioxidant Activity:​ Acts as a radical scavenger, inhibiting oxidation processes.

Stability:​ Stable under ambient conditions but may darken upon prolonged exposure to air and light. Should be stored in a cool, dark place in airtight containers.

This compound exhibits a range of bioactive properties, primarily attributed to the resorcinol core and its alkyl chain:

Antimicrobial/Antiseptic:​ Effective against bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The mechanism involves disrupting microbial cell membranes and enzyme inhibition.

Anthelmintic:​ Used as a treatment for certain parasitic worm (e.g., tapeworm) infections in medicine.

Tyrosinase Inhibition:​ Acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin production. This forms the basis for its use in skin-lightening cosmetics.

Antioxidant:​ Scavenges free radicals, providing protective effects against oxidative stress.

Local Anesthetic & Analgesic:​ Has mild numbing properties on mucous membranes.

5-Hexylresorcinol is not a major natural product but is related to alkylresorcinols, which are naturally synthesized in plants (e.g., in cereal bran like wheat and rye) and some bacteria and fungi.

Natural Pathway (Alkylresorcinols):​ In plants, biosynthesis typically involves a type III polyketide synthase. A starter fatty acyl-CoA (e.g., hexanoyl-CoA) undergoes sequential malonyl-CoA additions, cyclization, and aromatization to form the alkylresorcinol structure.

Commercial Production:​ It is primarily manufactured via chemical synthesis​ for industrial use, not through biosynthesis. Common synthetic routes involve the Friedel-Crafts acylation of resorcinol followed by reduction, or other alkylation methods.

Q1: What is the main selling point of 5-Hexylresorcinol for cosmetic formulations?

A:​ Its primary advantage is its powerful and well-documented tyrosinase-inhibiting activity, making it one of the most effective non-hydroquinone ingredients for skin whitening, brightening, and treating hyperpigmentation​ (e.g., melasma, age spots).

Q2: What purity grades do you offer, and how is quality ensured?

A:​ We supply High Purity Grade (≥99%, HPLC)​ for cosmetic/pharmaceutical R&D and Technical Grade (≥95%)​ for industrial applications. Every batch is accompanied by a comprehensive Certificate of Analysis (CoA)​ including HPLC purity, melting point, and heavy metals testing.

Q3: Is this compound safe (GRAS) for use in food or topical products?

A:​ It is approved for use as a food additive​ (color stabilizer) in certain jurisdictions (e.g., for shrimp treatment) at specified levels. For cosmetics, it is generally recognized as safe when formulated within recommended concentrations (typically 0.1%-1%). Always conduct patch tests and comply with regional regulations (e.g., FDA, EU CosIng).

Q4: How should it be stored to maintain stability?

A:​ Store in a cool, dry place (2-8°C recommended)​ in airtight, light-resistant containers​ under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) for long-term storage to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

Q5: Can you provide formulation guidance for cosmetic creams?

A:​ Yes. Our technical support team can provide basic guidelines. It is often solubilized in the oil phase or using solvents like propylene glycol. A typical effective concentration in the final product ranges from 0.2% to 0.5%. We recommend combining it with other antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E) for enhanced stability.

Q6: Do you offer custom synthesis or derivative production?

A:​ Absolutely. We provide custom synthesis services​ for:

Scale-up production​ from gram to kilogram scales.

Structural analogs​ (e.g., different alkyl chain lengths).

Derivatization​ into esters or other protected forms for specific application needs.

Q7: What is the typical lead time and minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

A:

R&D Samples (1-25g):​ Shipped within 3-5 business days.

Bulk Orders (≥1kg):​ Lead time of 2-3 weeks.

MOQ:​ 10g for the High Purity Grade; 100g for the Technical Grade.

Q8: Is it compatible with common cosmetic ingredients?

A:​ Generally, yes. It is compatible with most oils, surfactants, and emollients. Incompatibility may occur​ with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and heavy metal ions (which may cause chelation/discoloration). Pre-formulation compatibility testing is advised.