3.5- Dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Laccase (PCL) as well as peroxidases (HRP and SBP) induced a new type of oxidative polymerization of the 4-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (syringic acid) and 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid. The polymerization involved elimination of carbon dioxide and hydrogen from the monomer to give PPO derivatives with molecular weight up to 1.8 x lO (Scheme 22). - ... 

This with potassium hydroxide in methanol forms de-OiV-dimethylarmepavine, m.p. 86-7°, (B. HCl, m.p. 229-30°) of which the methiodide, m.p. 233-4°, on treatment with alkali decomposes into trimetHylamine and a -p-anisyl-/3-(3 4-dimethoxy- 6 - vinylphenyl) -ethylene, m.p. 79°. The latter is oxidised by permanganate in acetone to anisic and m-hemipinic acids. With ethyl sulphate and alkali, armepavine gives 0-ethylarmepavine, an oil, which permanganate oxidises to p-ethoxybenzoic acid. Armepavine is similarly oxidised to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and l-keto-6 7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-1 2 3 4-tetiahydrowoquinoline and is therefore 6 7-dimethoxy-l-p-hydroxybenzyI-2-methyI-l 2 3 4-tetrahydrowoquinoline, i.e., it is laudanosine (p. 187) with MeO. at C replaced by H and MeO at C changed to HO. ... 

All cements that contain eugenol inhibit the polymerization of acrylates, and those of EBA-eugenol are no exception. In order to remedy this and other defects, Brauer and his coworkers examined alternatives to eugenol (Figure 9.7). These included the esters of vanillic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, HV) and syringic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid). Both are 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy compounds and are thus chemically related to eugenol and guaiacol. Both are solids and have to be dissolved in EBA where they form satisfactory cements with EBA zinc oxide powder. The vanillate (EBA-HV) cements are the more important. 

The phenolic acids of interest here [caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid), ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid), p-coumaric acid (p-hydroxycinnamic acid), protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), sinapic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyxinnamic acid), p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid (4-hydroxy-3,5-methoxybenzoic acid), and vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid)] (Fig. 3.1) all have been identified as potential allelopathic agents.8,32,34 The primary allelopathic effects of these phenolic acids on plant processes are phytotoxic (i.e., inhibitory) they reduce hydraulic conductivity and net nutrient uptake by roots.1 Reduced rates of photosynthesis and carbon allocation to roots, increased abscisic acid levels, and reduced rates of transpiration and leaf expansion appear to be secondary effects. Most of these effects, however, are readily reversible once phenolic acids have been depleted from the rhizosphere and rhizoplane.4,6 Finally, soil solution concentrations of... 

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