catechol

noun

cat·​e·​chol ˈka-tə-ˌkȯl 

-ˌkōl

1

: catechin

2

: a crystalline phenol C₆H₆O₂ obtained from various natural sources but usually made synthetically and used especially in organic synthesis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Dopamine’s role in all these conditions brought Hall to the enzyme COMT, or catechol-O-methyltransferase. —Erik Vance, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2014

He and Matt Coggon, a research scientist at NOAA, also found that catechol may play a key role in ozone formation related to wildfires. —Kyle Dickman, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2020

To prevent this, Valentine and her colleagues temporarily covered the catechols with capping groups. —Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 26 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

catechol

noun

cat·​e·​chol ˈkat-ə-ˌkȯl, -ˌkōl 

1

: catechin

2

: pyrocatechol