Chemical Properties
white to beige crystalline powder
Uses
3,4-Dimethylbenzoic acid (3,4-DMBA) can be used as a toxicological marker. In a study on the inhalation exposure of rats to pseudocumene (1,2,4-trimethylbenzene), 3,4-DMBA was identified as one of three dimethylbenzoic acid isomers produced by the metabolism of pseudocumene. Following hydrolysis, it was quantitatively measured in the lungs, liver, kidneys and urine, accounting for 51–62 per cent of the total DMBA isomers in urine [1]. Furthermore, it can also serve as an intermediate in organic synthesis.
Definition
ChEBI: A dimethylbenzoic acid in which the two methyl groups are located at positions 3 and 4.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from EtOH or H2O (m 168-168.5o), and sublime it in vacuo. The phenyl ester has m 68o (from EtOH or pet ether) and b 155-157o/2mm. [Beilstein 9 II 353, 9 III 2441, 9 IV 1803.]
References
[1]
Świercz, R., Wąsowicz, W., & Majcherek, W. (2005). Dimethylbenzoic Acid Isomers in Lung, Kidney, Liver and Urine of Rats after Single and Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Pseudocumene. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 14.
