99% Purity Olivetol Powder (CAS 500-66-3) is a naturally occurring small-molecule phenolic compound and an indispensable high-value intermediate in modern pharmaceutical, biochemical, and synthetic biology fields. As a core precursor in the biosynthesis of cannabinoid compounds, its value extends far beyond that of a simple chemical raw material. With its unique resorcinol core and pentyl side chain structure, it exhibits multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, metabolic regulation, and enzyme inhibition. Its ultra-high purity of 99% ensures its stability and reliability in precise synthesis and biological testing, minimizing interference from impurities. This powder is a white to off-white crystalline powder with stable physicochemical properties and is readily soluble in organic solvents, providing a solid foundation for laboratory research, drug synthesis, and functional ingredient development. With the deepening research into endocannabinoid systems and polyphenols, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder is moving from a behind-the-scenes synthetic intermediate to the forefront of bioactive molecules, demonstrating enormous potential in areas such as neuromodulation, metabolic health, anti-tumor activity, and skin care.
The active backbone consists of the resorcinol core and the pentyl side chain.
The chemical nature of 99% Purity Olivetol Powder is 5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol, with the molecular formula [missing formula] and a molecular weight of 180.24. It is a simple yet functionally rich amphiphilic phenolic molecule. The high-purity product is a white crystalline powder with a melting point of 46-48℃. It exhibits typical characteristics of small organic molecules, remaining stable at room temperature, protected from light, and under inert gas conditions, and is not easily oxidized or degraded. Its molecular skeleton consists of an aromatic ring as its core, with two symmetrical hydroxyl groups connected at positions 1 and 3, forming the active core. A saturated five-carbon straight chain extends from the carbon atom at position 5. This structural design of a "hydrophilic head of two hydroxyl groups + hydrophobic tail of an alkyl chain" endows the molecule with unique amphiphilic properties, allowing it to disperse in aqueous environments and penetrate lipid biomembranes, laying the structural foundation for its broad biological activity.
The two phenolic hydroxyl groups in the molecule are the core sites of its chemical and biological activity. The two hydroxyl groups are located in the meta position, resulting in low steric hindrance and a uniform electron cloud distribution, giving it a strong proton-donating ability to efficiently scavenge reactive oxygen species in the body. This is the structural basis of its antioxidant capacity. Simultaneously, the phenolic hydroxyl groups can form hydrogen bonds with the active sites of various enzymes and receptors in the body, participating in specific binding and interactions, and regulating a series of physiological processes. Compared to other compounds, its structure provides a more moderate redox potential and better stability, making it less prone to rapid self-degradation during its antioxidant effects, thus allowing for more sustained efficacy. The 99% high purity ensures the integrity of the molecular structure, minimizing ineffective or interfering impurities caused by hydroxyl oxidation, alkyl chain breakage, or positional isomerism.
The n-pentyl side chain attached to the benzene ring is equally crucial. It is not only the main source of the molecule's lipophilicity but also its identity marker as a precursor to cannabinoid synthesis. The length and saturation of this five-carbon straight chain are precise. Under the catalysis of cannabinoid synthase, it will cyclize with other molecular units, ultimately forming the core framework of the compound. The presence of side chains significantly alters the molecule's spatial conformation and lipid-water partition coefficient, enabling it to precisely target and bind to the hydrophobic binding pocket of cannabinoid receptors, exhibiting competitive inhibitory activity. Furthermore, the alkyl chain acts as a flexible "anchoring" region, enhancing the molecule's affinity for cell membranes and adipose tissue, influencing its absorption, distribution, and metabolic kinetics in vivo.
From a stereochemical perspective, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder molecules lack chiral centers, thus eliminating enantiomerism issues; the high-purity powder is a single, homogeneous chemical entity. This characteristic is highly valuable for drug development and standardized production, avoiding the cost and purity problems associated with chiral separation and ensuring complete consistency in the bioactivity and pharmacodynamics of each batch. Its tightly packed crystal structure, with intermolecular forces primarily consisting of van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, results in high stability and good flowability in the solid state, facilitating accurate weighing, storage, and formulation processing. High-purity quality control ensures that no additional stereochemical impurities are introduced when used as a synthetic raw material, guaranteeing the purity and safety of the final product.
As a pharmaceutical-grade high-purity powder, every atom of its molecular structure undergoes rigorous quality control. The precise composition of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen ensures the theoretical integrity of its molecular formula. During the production process, precise techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography are used to strictly control organic impurities, heavy metals, and moisture to extremely low limits. This near-perfect structural purity makes it not only a qualified chemical reagent but also a high-end pharmaceutical intermediate that meets international standards such as USP and EP. Whether used for milligram-level cell testing or kilogram-level industrial synthesis, it provides a consistent and reliable structural basis and functional output.
Interactions between multi-target molecular regulation and the endocannabinoid system
The physiological mechanism of 99% Purity Olivetol Powder does not rely on a single pathway, but rather utilizes its amphiphilic structure and active groups to initiate a multi-target, multi-pathway synergistic regulatory network at the cellular and molecular levels. Its core mechanism revolves around two main lines: first, as a potent antioxidant, it directly quenches free radicals and regenerates the endogenous antioxidant system; second, through competitive binding and enzyme inhibition, it deeply intervenes in the endogenous cannabinoid system and cytochrome P450 metabolic pathway. This dual mode of action allows it to both protect cells from oxidative stress damage as a defensive molecule and intervene in key physiological processes such as nerve, metabolism, and immunity as a signaling regulator, demonstrating the unique appeal of a small molecule regulator.
As a "free radical scavenger," its mechanism of action begins with the electron transfer of the phenolic hydroxyl groups. The two phenolic hydroxyl groups on the 99% Purity Olivetol Powder molecule readily lose protons, donating a hydrogen atom to an unstable free radical, converting it into a stable, inert molecule, while itself forming a relatively stable phenoxy free radical. Due to the conjugation effect of the meta-dihydroxyl group, the unpaired electrons of this phenoloxy radical are effectively dispersed by the benzene ring conjugation system, thereby reducing its reactivity and preventing chain oxidation reactions. Unlike fat-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E, it can function in both aqueous and lipid phases, scavenging water-soluble free radicals in the cytoplasm and penetrating deep into the cell membrane to block the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation, protecting the integrity and fluidity of the phospholipid bilayer.
More importantly, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder amplifies the body's overall antioxidant capacity through a "regenerative cycle." It can reduce oxidized glutathione, restoring its active form, and glutathione is the core antioxidant defense line in cells. Simultaneously, it can regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, forming a powerful synergistic antioxidant network. This "regenerator" role allows it to maintain a highly efficient antioxidant state even at low concentrations, protecting mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage and maintaining stable cellular energy metabolism.
In oxidative stress-related pathological models, this effect directly manifests as reduced apoptosis, alleviating inflammatory responses, and mitigating tissue damage. Regulation of the endocannabinoid system is its most specific mechanism of action. 99% Purity Olivetol Powder is a competitive antagonist of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Its molecular structure is highly similar to the ligands of endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids, allowing it to bind to the active sites of receptors with high affinity, but without activating the receptors. This blocks the binding of endogenous or exogenous ligands to receptors, inhibiting downstream signal transduction. This effect makes it an important tool molecule for studying the physiological functions of the endocannabinoid system and shows potential value in regulating pain perception, mood, appetite, and inflammatory responses. Its affinity for the CB2 receptor gives it a unique advantage in regulating peripheral immunity and inflammation.
Application Matrix: From Cannabinoid Synthetic Precursors to Diverse Bioactivities
In the field of biomedical research, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder is a standard tool for exploring the function of the endocannabinoid system. Due to its clear competitive antagonistic activity against CB1 and CB2 receptors, researchers widely use it to block cannabinoid signaling, thereby inferring the specific roles of endocannabinoids (ECS) in pain transmission, neuroprotection, appetite regulation, mood regulation, and immune responses. In neuroscience research, it is often used to investigate the pathological role of ECS in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease; in immunological research, it is used to elucidate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms mediated by CB2 receptors. Its high purity ensures the accuracy of biological test results, eliminating false positives or false negatives caused by impurities.
With its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder is becoming an emerging star ingredient in skin care and topical health products. Its amphiphilic nature allows it to efficiently penetrate the stratum corneum, reaching both the epidermis and dermis. In skin cells, it effectively eliminates reactive oxygen species generated by UV radiation and inhibits the activation of matrix metalloproteinases, thereby protecting collagen and elastin fibers, preventing photoaging, and reducing wrinkles and pigmentation.
Simultaneously, by inhibiting the NF-κB inflammatory pathway and reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6, it effectively soothes skin sensitivity, redness, and inflammation. Compared to traditional antioxidants, it is more stable, less irritating, and has both oil-controlling and antibacterial effects, making it especially suitable for high-end repair formulas for acne-prone and mature skin. In the fields of metabolic health and weight management, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder demonstrates remarkable application potential. Its mechanism of action is multifaceted: First, by inhibiting intestinal α-amylase and α-glucosidase, it slows the breakdown and absorption of starch and sugars, stabilizing postprandial blood glucose fluctuations; second, by regulating key enzymes in hepatic lipid metabolism, it reduces the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol and promotes lipid oxidation and decomposition; finally, it positively regulates the gut microbiota structure, significantly increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as *Akkermansia muciniphila*, reducing the proportion of pro-inflammatory bacteria, improving intestinal barrier function, and reducing chronic low-grade inflammation caused by endotoxin entry into the bloodstream.
In metabolic disorder models, it effectively reduces body weight, improves insulin resistance, and reduces hepatic steatosis, providing a natural molecular basis for the development of novel metabolic regulators. 99% Purity Olivetol Powder also possesses broad-spectrum antibacterial and potential antitumor activities, expanding its applications in antibacterial and anticancer research. Its phenolic structure can disrupt bacterial cell membrane integrity, inhibit bacterial nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and has inhibitory effects on various pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as fungi such as Candida albicans. It can be considered a candidate ingredient for food preservatives or topical antibacterial agents. In the field of anti-tumor therapy, in vitro models show that it can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of various tumor cells, including lung cancer and breast cancer, and induce tumor cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
Its mechanism involves regulating the redox balance within tumor cells, inhibiting angiogenesis, and blocking pro-cancer signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK. Although still in its early stages, high-purity olivetol opens new avenues for developing low-toxicity, highly effective natural anti-tumor lead compounds.
In the fields of industry and materials science, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder also has unique applications. It is often used as a template molecule for molecularly imprinted polymers to prepare highly selective solid-phase extraction materials, achieving efficient separation and enrichment of target analytes in complex matrices. Furthermore, as an alkylresorcinol, it can be used to synthesize special polymer materials, dyes, rubber additives, and epoxy resin curing agents, utilizing the reactivity of its phenolic hydroxyl groups to construct stable chemical cross-linking networks. Its high purity ensures the controllability of the polymerization reaction and the performance stability of the final material. From high-end pharmaceuticals to mass-market skincare, from cutting-edge research to industrial applications, 99% Purity Olivetol Powder has built a vast application matrix spanning multiple fields.
Conclusion
99% Purity Olivetol Powder, with its concise and sophisticated chemical structure, 99% purity, and multidimensional bioactivity, has transcended the traditional definition of a chemical intermediate, becoming a key molecule connecting natural product chemistry, neuroscience, metabolic medicine, and materials science. From constructing the core framework of cannabinoid drugs to protecting cells from oxidation and inflammation; from regulating the signal balance of the endocannabinoid system to reshaping the gut microbiota and improving systemic metabolism, its value is profoundly demonstrated in every application field. Currently, cutting-edge research surrounding its precise targeting, nanodelivery, combination therapy, and green synthesis is continuously unlocking its greater potential, propelling it from a laboratory tool to the broader stage of clinical treatment and public health.
Xi'an Faithful BioTech Co., Ltd. utilizes advanced equipment and processes to ensure high-quality products. Our 99% Purity Olivetol Powder meets international pharmaceutical standards. We strive for excellence, offering reasonable prices and superior service, making us the preferred partner for medical institutions and researchers worldwide. If you require research or production of 99% Purity Olivetol Powder, please contact our technical team: allen@faithfulbio.com.
References
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