Benzene cytochrome P450 hydroxylation

To be carcinogenic, benzene must first be metabolized in the liver, mainly via cytochrome P4502E1. The major product is phenol (19), which is either conjugated—primarily to phenyl sulfate in humans—or further hydroxylated by P450 2E1 to hydroquinone. Other major metabolites include catechol (34) and trans-trans-mucomc acid (189 1,6-hexadienedioic acid). The latter is presumed to be formed from the ring opening of benzene epoxide (190 benzene oxepin), or perhaps benzene dihydrodiol (191 3,5-cyclohexene-l,2-diol). ... 

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