Metabolism / Metabolites
... Predicted by its low chronic toxicity ... hydroquinone monobenzyl ether may readily be metabolized in the same manner as phenol.

[1]. A mouse model of vitiligo induced by monobenzone. Exp Dermatol. 2013 Jul;22(7):499-501. doi: 10.1111/exd.12184.

Monobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. It is used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation. It has a role as a melanin synthesis inhibitor, a dermatologic drug and an allergen. It is functionally related to a hydroquinone.
Monobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone used medically for depigmentation. Monobenzone occurs as a white, almost tasteless crystalline powder, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in water. It exerts a depigmenting effect on skin of mammals by increasing the excretion of melanin from the melanocytes. It may also cause destruction of melanocytes and permanent depigmentation.
Monobenzone is a Depigmenting Agent. The mechanism of action of monobenzone is as a Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor. The physiologic effect of monobenzone is by means of Depigmenting Activity.
Monobenzone is a monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone with topical depigmentation activity. Although the exact mechanism of action of depigmentation is unknown, the metabolites of monobenzone appear to have a cytotoxic effect on melanocytes. Furthermore, the depigmentation effect might be mediated through the inhibition of tyrosinase, which is essential in the synthesis of melanin pigments, thereby causing permanent depigmentation of the skin.

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Drug Indication
Used topically to treat the loss of skin color (vitiligo).
FDA Label

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Mechanism of Action
Monobenzone is a depigmenting agent whose mechanism of action is not fully understood. It is proposed that it increases the excretion of melanin from the melanocytes. This effect is erratic and may take one to four months to occur while existing melanin is lost with normal sloughing of the stratum corneum. Hyperpigmented skin appears to fade more rapidly than does normal skin, and exposure to sunlight reduces the depigmenting effect of the drug. Following skin depigmentation after topical application of monobenzone, the histological studies indicate similar results as that seen in vitiligo, where the epidermis is intact but with the absence of identifiable melanocytes.
...INTERFERES WITH BIOSYNTHESIS OF MELANIN. IT INHIBITS ENZYME TYROSINASE & THEREBY PREVENTS CONVERSION OF TYROSINE TO DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE, PRECURSOR OF MELANIN.

C13H12O2

200.237

200.083

103-16-2

7638

LUSTROUS LEAFLETS FROM WATER
WHITE CRYSTALLINE POWDER

1.2±0.1 g/cm3

359.1±17.0 °C at 760 mmHg

119-120 °C(lit.)

213.4±5.9 °C

0.0±0.8 mmHg at 25°C

1.603

2.96

1

2

3

15

167

0

O(C1C([H])=C([H])C(=C([H])C=1[H])O[H])C([H])([H])C1C([H])=C([H])C([H])=C([H])C=1[H]

VYQNWZOUAUKGHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C13H12O2/c14-12-6-8-13(9-7-12)15-10-11-4-2-1-3-5-11/h1-9,14H,10H2

4-phenylmethoxyphenol

AI3-14325; Benoquin; Monobenzone

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

DMSO : ≥ 100 mg/mL (~499.43 mM)

Solubility in Formulation 1: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (10.39 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween80 + 45% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 400 μL PEG300 and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 to the above solution and mix evenly; then add 450 μL normal saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 2: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (10.39 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline) (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of 20% SBE-β-CD physiological saline solution and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.

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Solubility in Formulation 3: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (10.39 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% Corn Oil (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of corn oil and mix evenly.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)