| Title:  Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid CAS Registry Number:  27686-84-6 (meso-form);  500-38-9 (unspecified stereo) CAS Name:  (R*,S*)-4,4¢-(2,3-Dimethyl-1,4-butanediyl)bis[1,2-benzenediol] Additional Names:  meso-4,4¢-(2,3-dimethyltetramethylene)dipyrocatechol;  2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)butane;  b,g-dimethyl-a,d-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane;  NDGA;  masoprocol Manufacturers' Codes:  CHX-100 Trademarks:  Actinex (Schwarz) Molecular Formula:  C18H22O4 Molecular Weight:  302.36 Percent Composition:  C 71.50%, H 7.33%, O 21.17% Literature References:  Lipoxygenase inhibitor; occurs as the meso-form in the resinous exudate of the creosote bush, Larrea divaricata, Zygophyllaceae (Covillea tridentata).  Isoln:  C. W. Waller, O. Gisvold, J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. 34, 78 (1945).  Prepn from guaiaretic acid dimethyl ether:  G. Schroeter et al., Ber. 51, 1587 (1918); R. D. Haworth et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1934, 1423.  Synthesis:  S. V. Lieberman et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 1540 (1947); and configuration of naturally occurring form:  C. W. Perry et al., J. Org. Chem. 37, 4371 (1972).  Use as antioxidant:  W. M. Lauer, US 2373192 (1945 to U. S. Secr'y of Agriculture).  Antiproliferative effect on cultured keratinocytes:  D. I. Wilkinson, E. K. Orenberg, Int. J. Dermatol. 26, 660 (1987); on cultured glioma cells:  D. E. Wilson et al., J. Neurosurg. 71, 551 (1989).  Clinical trial in actinic keratoses:  E. A. Olsen et al., J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 24, 738 (1991). Properties:  Crystals from acetic acid, mp 185-186°.  uv max (methanol):  283, 218 nm (e 6660, 13400).  Sol in ethanol, methanol, ether, concd H2SO4; slightly sol in hot water, chloroform; sol in dil alkalies, developing a deep red color.  Practically insol in petr ether, benzene, toluene, dil HCl. Melting point:  mp 185-186° Absorption maximum:  uv max (methanol):  283, 218 nm (e 6660, 13400) Use:  As antioxidant for fats and oils in foods. Therap-Cat:  Antineoplastic.  |