Menadiol is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₄(COH)₂(CH)(CH₃). It is formally a derivative of p-

hydroquinone Hydroquinone, also known as benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, a derivative of benzene, having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. It has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a ''para' ...

. The name vitamin K₄ can refer to: * specifically this compound, * its various

esters In chemistry, an ester is a chemical compound, compound derived from an acid (either organic or inorganic) in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group () of that acid is replaced by an organyl group (R). These compounds c ...

, e.g. ** menadiol diacetate (acetomenaphthone), ** menadiol dibutyrate, ** menadiol dimalonate, or * its various salts, like ** menadiol sodium diphosphate (Kappadione) ** menadiol sodium disulfate. Menadiol sodium diphosphate is approved in the UK for treatment and prevention of haemorrhage, mainly in obstructive jaundice (before and after surgery). Menadiol is probably naturally produced by reduction of

menadione Menadione is a natural organic compound with the formula C6H4(CO)2C2H(CH3). It is an analog of 1,4-naphthoquinone with a methyl group in the 2-position. It is sometimes called vitamin K3. Use is allowed as a nutritional supplement in animal ...

("vitamin K₃"; see ) as an intermediate in the conversion from K₃ to MK-4. It can be oxidized in experimental conditions back to menadione.

Phylloquinone structure.svg, The menadiol core is apparent in the structure of

vitamin K Vitamin K is a family of structurally similar, fat-soluble vitamers found in foods and marketed as dietary supplements. The human body requires vitamin K for post-translational modification, post-synthesis modification of certain proteins ...

. Menadiol_diacetate.svg, Menadiol diacetate Menadiol_dibutyrate.svg, Menadiol dibutyrate

References

{{Antihemorrhagics 1-Naphthols Vitamin K Hydroquinones