Chemical Properties
white to cream crystalline powder. Insoluble in water.
Uses
1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene is a major scent component of the Chinese rose odour. 1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene is also a useful synthetic intermediate and is used to synthesize triaryl- and triheteroarylmethanes.
Definition
ChEBI: 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene is a methoxybenzene carrying methoxy groups at positions 1, 3 and 5. It has been found to be a biomarker of flavonoid consumption in humans. It has a role as a biomarker and a human xenobiotic metabolite.
General Description
1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene effectively cleaves
p-methoxybenzyl protecting group on various alcohols and acids. It is the major scent compound present in Chinese rose species.
Synthesis
A solution of anhydrous phloroglucinol (6.3 g，0.05 mole) in dryacetone (100 ml) is refluxed for 6 hr under anhydrous conditions withdimethyl sulphate (15. 6 ml，20.8 g, 0.165 mole) in presence of ignitedpotassium carbonate (40 g).The mixture is filtered, and the inorganic saltswashed with hot acetone (2 × 20 ml). The combined acetone solution isdistilled and the residue macerated with crushed ice. It is extracted withether, the ether extracts washed with sodium hydroxide solution (5%),water，dried (sodium sulphate) and distilled. Yield 1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene 6 g (71.4 %).M.p 52-3° (lit. m.p.52-53°).
Solubility in organics
Soluble in Methanol, Ether, Ethanol, Benzene.
Solubility in water
Insoluble
Purification Methods
Sublime it under vacuum. [Beilstein 6 III 635, 6 IV 7362.]
