Catechin
Description
The principal yellow colorant in the extracts from the leaves and twigs of Gambier, Cutch and Kino resin. Catechin is a lightfast and washfast color that is used on wool, silk and cotton to obtain a dark brown color. It is used for tanning leather. Catechin is sometimes called by the ambiguous name of catechol, a term that is also used for pyrocatechol.
Synonyms and Related Terms
catechinic acid; catechuic acid; catechol (flavan); catecol (Esp.); catechina (It.); catequina (Port.)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Soluble in water, ethanol, acetic acid, acetone. Insoluble in benzene, chloroform, ligroin. Needle crystals from ethanol.
| Composition | C15H14O6 |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 93-96 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 290.27 |