Photoanethole

Photoanethole

Names
IUPAC name 1-Methoxy-4-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene
Other names Bianisal; Bianisylidene; p,p′-Dimethoxystilbene; 4,4′-Dimethoxystilbene
Identifiers
CAS Number	15638-14-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	556587
PubChem CID	641296
InChI InChI=1S/C16H16O2/c1-17-15-9-5-13(6-10-15)3-4-14-7-11-16(18-2)12-8-14/h3-12H,1-2H3/b4-3+ Key: CAWFCZIEFIQKRV-ONEGZZNKSA-N
SMILES COC1=CC=C(C=C1)/C=C/C2=CC=C(C=C2)OC
Properties
Chemical formula	C16H16O2
Molar mass	240.30 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Photoanethole is a naturally occurring organic compound that is found in anise and fennel. It has estrogenic activity, and along with anethole and dianethole, may be responsible for the estrogenic effects of anise and fennel. These compounds bear resemblance to the estrogens stilbene and diethylstilbestrol, which may explain their estrogenic activity. In fact, it is said that diethylstilbestrol and related drugs were originally modeled after photoanethole and dianethole.