Atranol is a natural product that develops in the degradation of another natural component, atranorine, in certain species of fungi (Lethariella cladonioides), mosses (Evernia furfuracea, Evernia prunastri) and lichens (Cladonia rangiferina).

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

It is a fragrance with a musky scent.

In the composition of Evernia furfuracea there are two components that have been credited with frequent episodes of sensitisation: atranol (2,6-Dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzladehyde) and chloroatranol (3-Chloro -2,6-Dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzladehyde). These two chemical compounds were banned by European Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1410 on 2 August 2017:

The most relevant studies on the subject have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Atranol studies

Boiling Point	248.3±35.0°C at 760 mmHg
Flash Point	118.2±22.4°C
Density	1.3±0.1 g/cm3
Refraction Index	1.649
Vapor Pressure	0.0±0.5 mmHg at 25°C
PSA	57.53000
LogP	2.05
Storage	2-8°C
Chemical Safety

• Molecular Formula    C₈H₈O₃
• Molecular Weight     152.15
• Exact Mass    152.047348
• CAS  526-37-4
• UNII    
• EC Number   801-750-9
• DSSTox Substance ID  801-750-9
• IUPAC  2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde
• InChl=1S/C8H8O3/c1-5-2-7(10)6(4-9)8(11)3-5/h2-4,10-11H,1H3
• InChl Key      1S/C8H8O3/c1-5-2-7(10)6(4-9)8(11)3-5/h2-4,10-11H,1H3
• SMILES   CC1=CC(=C(C(=C1)O)C=O)O
• MDL number  MFCD04117961
• PubChem Substance ID    329767558
• ChEBI  801-750-9
• Beilstein     1941881
• SCHEMBL3185655
• NACRES NA.24

Synonyms

• 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde
• 4-Methyl-γ-resorcylaldehyde, p-Orsellinaldehyde