HOMOVANILLIC ACID (3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYPHENYL ACETIC ACID)

Catecholamine: a group of naturally occurring sympathomimetic amines that have important physiological functions within the body as neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and hormones in the blood circulation. Catecholamines are biogenic amines considered as sympathomimetic drugs; They are characterized by a catechol group [The ortho (1,2) isomer of dihydroxybenzene] to which is attached an amine group (the aromatic portion of whose molecule is catechol, and the aliphatic portion an amine). The most abundant catecholamines in the body are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine. They are derived from the tyrosine, an amino acid (protein building block) that is the precursor of norepinephrine. (The prefix nor- describes normal structure which has no branched chain of carbon atoms. In case of norepinephrine, it has one less methylene group than its homologue, epinephrine.) Catecholamines belong to a broader class of compounds called phenethylamines which contain structurally amino acid, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Phenethylamine is a backbone for the compounds which take roles of alkaloids as well as hormones and neurotransmitters in nature. Amphetamine is the substituted phenethylamine by methyl group at alpha position. It is a synthetic drug used as a diet suppressant and to treat narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). But amphetamines can produce severe psychological dependence, including cardiac irregularities and gastric disturbances. Chronic use often results in extreme exhaustion and malnutrition. Substituted phenethylamines are:

HOMOVANILLIC ACID
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
CAS NO.	306-08-1
EINECS NO.	206-176-7
FORMULA	HOC₆H₃(OCH₃)CH₂COOH
MOL WT.	182.18
H.S. CODE
TOXICITY
SYNONYMS	3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid; HVA;
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzeneacetic acid; 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid;
SMILES
CLASSIFICATION
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL STATE	white to off-white crystalline powder
MELTING POINT	141 - 145 C
BOILING POINT
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
SOLUBILITY IN WATER	Soluble
SOLVENT SOLUBILITY	soluble in benzene, slightly soluble in alcohol, ether, insoluble in cyclohexane
pH
VAPOR DENSITY
AUTOIGNITION
NFPA RATINGS
REFRACTIVE INDEX
FLASH POINT
STABILITY	Stable under ordinary conditions. Air, light sensitive.
APPLICATIONS
Homovanillic acid is a major metabolite of catecholamine metabolism. Phenethyl backbone is important in physiological functions within the body as neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and hormones in the blood circulation as well as alkaloids. Homovanillic acid is used as a reagent for the determination of oxidative enzymes. In chemical, the prefix homo- indicates the addition of one methyl(CH₂) group to the main skeleton.
SALES SPECIFICATION
APPEARANCE	white to off-white crystalline powder
ASSAY	98.0% min
MELTING POINT	141- 145 C
TRANSPORTATION
PACKING
HAZARD CLASS
UN NO.
OTHER INFORMATION
`Hazard Symbols: XI, Risk Phrases:` 36/37/38, `Safety Phrases:` 24-25-37-45
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CATECHOLAMINE
Catecholamine: a group of naturally occurring sympathomimetic amines that have important physiological functions within the body as neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and hormones in the blood circulation. Catecholamines are biogenic amines considered as sympathomimetic drugs; They are characterized by a catechol group [The ortho (1,2) isomer of dihydroxybenzene] to which is attached an amine group (the aromatic portion of whose molecule is catechol, and the aliphatic portion an amine). The most abundant catecholamines in the body are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine. They are derived from the tyrosine, an amino acid (protein building block) that is the precursor of norepinephrine. (The prefix nor- describes normal structure which has no branched chain of carbon atoms. In case of norepinephrine, it has one less methylene group than its homologue, epinephrine.) Catecholamines belong to a broader class of compounds called phenethylamines which contain structurally amino acid, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Phenethylamine is a backbone for the compounds which take roles of alkaloids as well as hormones and neurotransmitters in nature. Amphetamine is the substituted phenethylamine by methyl group at alpha position. It is a synthetic drug used as a diet suppressant and to treat narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). But amphetamines can produce severe psychological dependence, including cardiac irregularities and gastric disturbances. Chronic use often results in extreme exhaustion and malnutrition. Substituted phenethylamines are: