Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

Acetaminophen (IUPAC: 4-Acetamidophenol; C8H9NO2, molecular weight 151.17 g/mol) is an aromatic amide with a benzene ring substituted by an acetamide and hydroxyl group. It functions as an antipyretic and analgesic, primarily metabolized in the liver via glucuronidation and sulfation. Physicochemically, it is a white crystalline solid (melting point 169°C), moderately water-soluble. Its mechanism involves selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), reducing prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system. Structural features include a para-substituted acetamide and phenolic hydroxyl, contributing to its pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy.