Diformylcresol
# Diformylcresol

Diformylcresol is an organic compound with the formula $CH_3C_6H_2(CHO)_2OH.$ The 2,6-diformyl derivative of p-cresol is the most common isomer and is a white solid at room temperature.

Diformylcresol condenses with amines to give diimines that are widely studied as binucleating ligands.

## Synthesis

Formyl groups (aldehydes) are fairly strong deactivating groups for electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, hence double-addition to a phenol requires forcing conditions. Diformylcresol may be prepared from p-cresol by the Reimer-Tiemann reaction or the Duff reaction.

The corresponding reaction of phenol would be expected to lead to formylation of the 4-position vs 2,6-selectivity.

## Related compounds

* salicylaldehyde, a phenol with only one flanking formyl group
