3-Methylcatechol

3-Methylcatechol is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(OH)2 A white solid, it is one of the isomers of methylbenzenediol. Being structurally related to lignans, it is contributes to the aerosol generate by combustion of wood.

Metabolism
The enzyme 1,2-dihydroxy-6-methylcyclohexa-3,5-dienecarboxylate dehydrogenase uses 1,2-dihydroxy-6-methylcyclohexa-3,5-dienecarboxylate and NAD+ to produce 3-methylcatechol, NADH and CO2.

The isofunctional enzymes of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase from species of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Nocardia, Alcaligenes and Corynebacterium oxidize 3-methylcatechol according to both the intradiol and extradiol cleavage patterns. However, the enzyme preparations from Brevibacterium and Arthrobacter have only the intradiol cleavage activity.

Related compounds
The 3-methylcatechol structural motif is rare in natural products. Known examples include calopin and a δ-lactone derivative, O-acetylcyclocalopin A|O-acetylcyclocalopin A, which have been isolated from the fungus Caloboletus calopus.