1,4-phenyldiglyoxal

Description

**1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal** is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C₁₀H₆O₄. It is a colorless solid with a melting point of 170-172 °C.

**Structure and Properties:**

* **Structure:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal consists of a benzene ring with two glyoxal (CHO-CHO) groups attached at the 1 and 4 positions.
* **Reactivity:** The glyoxal groups in 1,4-phenyldiglyoxal are highly reactive and can undergo various chemical reactions, including nucleophilic addition, condensation, and oxidation.
* **Spectroscopic Properties:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal exhibits characteristic spectroscopic features, including strong absorption bands in the UV-Vis region.

**Importance for Research:**

1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal has been investigated in various research areas, including:

* **Organic Synthesis:** It serves as a versatile building block for the synthesis of complex organic molecules, such as heterocycles, polymers, and pharmaceuticals.
* **Materials Science:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal can be used to prepare novel materials with interesting properties, such as conductivity and luminescence.
* **Biochemistry and Pharmacology:** The glyoxal groups in 1,4-phenyldiglyoxal can interact with biomolecules, such as proteins and DNA, leading to potential applications in drug discovery and diagnostics.
* **Analytical Chemistry:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal can be used as a reagent for the detection and quantification of various analytes.

**Specific Research Applications:**

* **Synthesis of Bis-heterocycles:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal has been used to synthesize bis-heterocycles, which are molecules with two heterocyclic rings connected by a phenyl group. These compounds exhibit potential pharmacological activities.
* **Development of Conducting Polymers:** 1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal has been used as a monomer for the polymerization of conducting polymers, which have applications in electronics and sensors.
* **Investigation of Protein-Glyoxal Interactions:** Studies have shown that 1,4-phenyldiglyoxal can interact with specific amino acid residues in proteins, leading to protein modification and potential biological effects.

**Conclusion:**

1,4-Phenyldiglyoxal is a versatile and intriguing compound with significant potential in various research areas. Its unique structure and reactivity make it a valuable tool for the synthesis of novel molecules, materials, and pharmaceuticals. Further research on this compound promises to unveil new applications and insights into its diverse properties.

1,4-phenyldiglyoxal: structure [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]