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What is the second name for resorcinol?

Published in Chemical Compound Names 2 mins read

The second name for resorcinol is Resorcin. It is also known by another systematic name, m-Dihydroxybenzene.

Understanding Resorcinol and Its Alternative Names

Resorcinol, an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H6O2, is commonly recognized by its alternative names. While "Resorcinol" is its primary common name, it is also known as:

  • Resorcin: This is often considered its most common alternative or "second" name.
  • m-Dihydroxybenzene: This is its systematic chemical name, indicating that it is a derivative of benzene with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups positioned at the meta (1,3) positions.

Key Chemical Characteristics

Resorcinol is one of the three isomeric benzenediols, meaning it shares the same chemical formula but differs in the arrangement of its atoms. Specifically, it is the 1,3-isomer of benzenediol.

Here are some of its distinguishing properties:

  • Appearance: It typically appears as a white solid.
  • Solubility: It is readily soluble in water.
  • Isomerism: It belongs to the family of benzenediols, alongside catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene), each having distinct properties due to the different positions of the hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring.

Summary of Names and Formula

Common Name Alternative Common Name Systematic Name Chemical Formula
Resorcinol Resorcin m-Dihydroxybenzene C6H6O2

For further information on resorcinol, including its structure and properties, you can refer to resources like Wikipedia.