hydroquinone Chem.
(haɪdrəʊˈkwaɪnəʊn)
Also -chinon(e, -kinone.
[f. hydrogen + quinone.]
A diatomic phenol, C6H4(OH)2, prepared from quinone, C6H4O2, by reduction with sulphurous acid, crystallizing from water in colourless rhombic prisms. Now used as a developer in photography.
| 1865–72 Watts Dict. Chem. III. 213 Hydroquinone, Hydrochinone, Hydrokinone... Colourless Hydroquinone (Pyroquinole), C6H6O2..is the chief product of the dry distillation of quinic, carbohydroquinonic, and oxysalicylic acids. Ibid., Green Hydroquinone or Quinhydrone..C6H6O2. C6H4O2,..may be regarded..as a compound of quinone and colourless hydroquinone. 1889 Anthony's Photogr. Bull. II. 171 Hydroquinone, or more shortly quinol, will be the developer of the future. 1893 Brit. Jrnl. Photog. XL. 795 The development was effected with hydroquinone, as giving a blacker tone. |