Monobenzone, also called 4-(Benzyloxy)phenol and monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is an organic chemical in the phenol family with chemical formula C₆H₅CH₂OC₆H₄OH.^[1][2] It is used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation.^[3] It is a colourless solid that is classified as the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone is soluble in alcohol, benzene, and diethyl ether, and practically insoluble in water.

Quick Facts Clinical data, Other names ...

Monobenzone

Clinical data
Other names	Hydroquinone benzyl ether, Hydroquinone monobenzyl ether, Benzyl p-hydroxyphenyl ether, Benzyl hydroquinone, Benzoquin, 4-(phenylmethoxy)phenol
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	Topical
ATC code	D11AX13 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	CA: Unscheduled US: ℞-only Unscheduled
Identifiers
IUPAC name 4-(benzyloxy)phenol
CAS Number	103-16-2 Y
PubChem CID	7638
IUPHAR/BPS	6830
DrugBank	DB00600 Y
ChemSpider	7356 N
UNII	9L2KA76MG5
KEGG	D05072 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1388 N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2020717
ECHA InfoCard	100.002.804
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C13H12O2
Molar mass	200.237 g·mol−1
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Close

The topical application of monobenzone in animals increases the excretion of melanin from melanocytes. The same action is thought to be responsible for the depigmenting effect of the drug in humans. Monobenzone may cause destruction of melanocytes and permanent depigmentation. ^{[citation needed]}

The histology of the skin after depigmentation with topical monobenzone is the same as that seen in vitiligo; the epidermis is normal except for the absence of identifiable melanocytes. Therefore, monobenzone is used as a topical medicine to permanently depigment normal skin surrounding vitiliginous lesions only in patients with disseminated (greater than 50 percent of body surface area) idiopathic vitiligo. Monobenzone is also being considered for the treatment of melanoma.^[4]