3,4-Dimethoxystyrene (vinylveratrole) is an aromatic organic compound. It is a yellow oily liquid with a pleasant floral odor. Normally, it is supplied with 1-2% of the hydroquinone as an additive to prevent oxidation of the compound.
Occurrence 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene has been identified as a naturally occurring component in the liverwort Cyathodium foetidissimum.Sakurai, Tomiyama, Yaguchi, Kawakami, Asakawa (2017). https://www.iseoils.com/images/documents/boa/ISEO_book-of-abstract_2017.pdf https://www.iseoils.com Retrieved 19 November 2025. 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is also found in the essential oil of Brazilian propolis, as well as cereal and coffee products.
Uses 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is typically used in organic synthesis as a monomer in radical polymerization reactions due to the presence of the electron-deficient double bond. This is similar to the parent compound styrene, which can be polymerized into polystyrene. 3,4-dimethoxystyrene can be deprotected using Lewis acid boron tribromide with almost 100% yield. The resulting compound 3,4-dihydroxystyrene is rapidly oxidized in air, which is why 3,4-dimethoxystyrene is preferred as a stable precursor in organic synthesis. It is an easily polymerizable precursor to polycatechols as it is less susceptible to oxidation in air than other precursors.
Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics Once ingested, 3,4-Dimethoxystyrene is found in the cytoplasm, and extracellularly.
Related compounds 3,4-Dihydroxystyrene Veratrole
References