URUSHIOL

Chemical properties

Pale-yellow liquid. Soluble in alcohol, ether, and benzene.

The Uses of URUSHIOL

Urushiol is the main constituent of the aliergenic oil of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), poison oak (T. diversilobum), Asiatic lacquer tree (T. verniciferum D.C.) and other plants of the genera Toxicodendron and Anacardiaceae. A mixture of several compounds which are derivatives of catechol.

The Uses of URUSHIOL

Urushiol can be used as a anti-corrosion coating for petroleum casing pipe.

Definition

Mixture of catechol derivatives.

Hazard

The toxic principle of poison ivy. Causes severe allergenic dermatitis.

Contact allergens

Urushiol is a generic name that indicates a mixture of several close alkylcatechols contained in the sap of the Anacardiaceae family such as Toxicodendron radicans Kuntze (poison ivy) or Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew nut tree). The R-side chain generally includes 13, 15, or 17 carbons. A urushiol with a C15 side chain is named pentadecylcatechol (a term sometimes employed in medical literature for poison ivy urushiol), and a urushiol with a C17 side chain is a heptadecylcatechol (mostly encountered in poison oak urushiol).