''para''-Cresidine is an

organic compound Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...

with the formula CH₃OC₆H₃(CH₃)NH₂. It is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents. The compound features both amine and methoxy

functional group In organic chemistry, a functional group is any substituent or moiety (chemistry), moiety in a molecule that causes the molecule's characteristic chemical reactions. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reactions r ...

s. It is used as an intermediate in preparation of dyes and pigments.

Synthesis and reactions

The compound is obtained in several steps from 4-chlorotoluene.

Nitration In organic chemistry, nitration is a general class of chemical processes for the introduction of a nitro group () into an organic compound. The term also is applied incorrectly to the different process of forming nitrate esters () between Alcohol ...

gives mainly 3-nitro-4-chlorotoluene, which reacts with methoxide sources to give 4-methoxy-2-nitrotoluene. Reduction of this nitro compound affords the aniline.P. F. Vogt, J. J. Gerulis, "Amines, Aromatic" in ''Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry'', 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. Sulfonation with

oleum Oleum (Latin ''oleum'', meaning oil), or fuming sulfuric acid, is a term referring to solutions of various compositions of sulfur trioxide in sulfuric acid, or sometimes more specifically to disulfuric acid (also known as pyrosulfuric acid). Ol ...

gives 4-amino-5-methoxy-2-methylbenzenesulfonic acid. This

sulfonic acid In organic chemistry, sulfonic acid (or sulphonic acid) refers to a member of the class of organosulfur compounds with the general formula , where R is an organic alkyl or aryl group and the group a sulfonyl hydroxide. As a substituent, it is kn ...

is a precursor to

allura red AC Allura Red AC, also known as FD&C Red 40 or E129, is a red azo dye commonly used in food. It was developed in 1971 by the Allied Chemical Corporation, who gave the substance its name. It is usually supplied as its red sodium salt but can al ...

, a red

food coloring Food coloring, color additive or colorant is any dye, pigment, or substance that imparts color when it is added to food or beverages. Colorants can be supplied as liquids, powders, gels, or pastes. Food coloring is commonly used in commercia ...

References

External links

International Chemical Safety Card
Center for Disease Control {{DEFAULTSORT:Cresidine, para- IARC Group 2B carcinogens Phenol ethers Anilines Alkyl-substituted benzenes