55-55-0

White crystalline powder

ChEBI: The sulfate salt of 4-methylaminophenol.

Photographic developer; dyeing furs.

Off-white crystalline solid. Sensitive to light.

In aqueous solution behaves as an acid. Materials in this group are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and have pH's of less than 7.0. They react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. Many of these compounds catalyze organic reactions.

Water soluble.

Eye and skin irritant.

Flash point data for this compound are not available but P-METHYLAMINOPHENOL SULFATE is probably combustible.

Metol is contained in black-and-white film developers and caused contact dermatitis in photographers.

Crystallise this photographic developer from H2O (needles m 250-260o) (its solubility is 5% at 20o and 17% at 100o) or MeOH. It is used for determining Ag. [Palit et al. Indian J Chem, Sect B 28 64 1989.]