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4,7-Dihydroxyflavone falls into the flavone subgroup, which belongs within the much broader family of flavonoids. The formula, C15H10O4, points toward its flickering golden hue as a solid. I see it in labs as a crystalline powder, occasionally in small flakes. The molecule stacks up at a molecular weight near 254.24 g/mol, creating fairly dense-packed samples compared to more fibrous organic compounds. Chemically, the molecule features two hydroxyl groups on the A and C rings, which influences its solubility and interaction with both other chemicals and solvents. That extra hydroxyl at both the fourth and seventh carbon draws out specific hydrogen bonding, encouraging solubility in alcohols and weaker presence in pure water. The bulk of commercial material comes as a solid, loosely packed powder, which sometimes appears granular or even pearl-like, rarely as a pressed cake or in liquid form. The melting range tends to hover around 265-267°C, giving it stability for most storage situations except the back corners of super-heated warehouses.
Holding a sample, I notice its crisp off-yellow color and crystalline texture. It's not prone to clumping, so pouring it out of a glass bottle or scooping from a polyethylene bag, the powder comes loose and moves like a finer flour. It won't dissolve well in cold water, but with warming or by turning to ethanol or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), that stubborn crystalline nature yields. The density lines up around 1.4-1.5 g/cm³, which means it settles quickly out of suspension or in water-based mixtures. I’ve measured the logP value (reflecting lipophilicity) between 2.5 and 3. This tells me it’s moderately hydrophobic, so it will partition fairly well into organic phases during extraction or synthesis.
Inspection down to the atomic level, the structure reveals three interconnected rings, a signature flavone shape with hydroxyl arms giving reactivity in predictable spots. The arrangement plays a role in antioxidant activity, which researchers often cite as a reason for exploring the compound’s broader health and materials potential. The globally recognized HS Code for 4,7-Dihydroxyflavone falls within the designation for organic chemicals, specifically under 2932.99. The code matters when managing imports, tracing shipments, or addressing regulatory filings—a detail that costs time and money if overlooked. International shipping rules treat it as a solid raw material, not a specialty blend or hazardous agent.
The manufacturing process spits out varieties: powder, crystals, sometimes slightly aggregated flakes. I never see it shipped as a solution except in research quantities, and there are no industrial-scale liquid forms I’ve encountered. Sourcing the compound as granular pearls or pressed blocks remains highly unusual. Those using the crystals for synthesis, research, or formulation handle it as a free-flowing powder or a crumbly solid blend. Storage keeps it away from moisture and direct sunlight because the hydroxyls can grab at stray water, reducing shelf stability. My own handling method involves gloves and simple face protection since it can dust up easily and anyone inhaling such powders risks irritation to lungs and eyes.
Safety matters extend from the chemical’s mild potential for irritation through to its lack of strong acute toxicity based on published data. Still, the fact is that inhalation or significant skin contact should be avoided, as the molecular size and fine form create real inhalation risks if left uncontained. Local regulations do not rate 4,7-Dihydroxyflavone as a highly hazardous chemical, but the raw material label remains: treat as a chemical, not as a dietary supplement or benign additive in industrial settings. Always ensure containers close tightly, and don’t store in direct sunlight or next to highly reactive acids or bases. In the case of accidental release, ordinary dust collection and cleanup suffice, not extraordinary environmental response measures. Anyone moving it in bulk or across borders runs into chemical import/export controls, especially if blending into health or food supplement sku lines, which have their own regulatory load.
As a raw material, 4,7-Dihydroxyflavone finds place in bench-chemistry and mid-scale preparations for pharmaceutical and bioactive research. The hydroxyl-rich flavonoid structure draws attention for potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles, but direct application in formulated products faces hurdles from regulatory scrutiny to technical formulation issues. Ensuring purity remains a sticking point, especially as synthetic routes can generate side products or related flavones. The path forward looks at both improved analytical identification, like HPLC and mass spectrometry, and tighter control over storage, transport, and application documentation. Surprisingly, a lot of smaller labs lack standard procedures for handling mid-level specialty chemicals like this, relying more on experience and guesswork than standardized operating protocols. A shift toward continuous training and transparent record-keeping, along with more explicit communication with customs officials, supports safer and more reliable movement and use.
