resorcinol

[ri-zawr-suh-nawl, -nol, rez-awr-] /rɪˈzɔr səˌnɔl, -ˌnɒl, rɛzˈɔr-/
noun, Chemistry, Pharmacology
1.
a white, needlelike, water-soluble solid, C 6 H 6 O 2 , a benzene derivative originally obtained from certain resins, now usually synthesized: used chiefly in making dyes, as a reagent, in tanning, in the synthesis of certain resins, and in medicine in treating certain skin conditions; meta-dihydroxybenzene.
Also, resorcin.
Origin
1880-85; res(in) + orcinol
British Dictionary definitions for resorcinol

resorcinol

/rɪˈzɔːsɪˌnɒl/
noun
1.
a colourless crystalline phenol with a sweet taste, used in making dyes, drugs, resins, and adhesives. Formula: C6H4(OH)2; relative density: 1.27; melting pt: 111°C; boiling pt at 1 atm.: 276°C
Derived Forms
resorcinal, adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from resin + orcinol
resorcinol in Medicine

resorcinol res·or·cin·ol (rĭ-zôr'sə-nôl', -nōl') or res·or·cin (-sĭn)
n.
A white crystalline compound used primarily as an antiseptic in skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema, but also used in the treatment of nausea, asthma, whooping cough, and diarrhea.

Encyclopedia Article for resorcinol

m-dihydroxybenzene

phenolic compound used in the manufacture of resins, plastics, dyes, medicine, and numerous other organic chemical compounds. It is produced in large quantities by sulfonating benzene with fuming sulfuric acid and fusing the resulting benzenedisulfonic acid with caustic soda. Reaction with formaldehyde produces resins used to make rayon and nylon amenable to impregnation with rubber, and as adhesives. As a chemical intermediate, resorcinol is converted to dyes, explosives, and pharmaceuticals; it is also employed in photographic developers and cosmetics. In medicine it is used externally in ointments and lotions as an antifungal

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