title: Diformylcresol
text: # Diformylcresol
  
  Diformylcresol is an organic compound with the formula $CH_3C_6H_2(CHO)_2OH.$ The 2,6-diformyl derivative of p-cresol is the most common isomer and is a white solid at room temperature.
  
  Diformylcresol condenses with amines to give diimines that are widely studied as binucleating ligands.
  
  ## Synthesis
  
  Formyl groups (aldehydes) are fairly strong deactivating groups for electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, hence double-addition to a phenol requires forcing conditions. Diformylcresol may be prepared from p-cresol by the Reimer-Tiemann reaction or the Duff reaction.
  
  The corresponding reaction of phenol would be expected to lead to formylation of the 4-position vs 2,6-selectivity.
  
  ## Related compounds
  
  * salicylaldehyde, a phenol with only one flanking formyl group
  