The molecule is a member of the class of phenoxazines that is 1,9-dimethyl-3H-phenoxazin-3-one carrying additional hydroxy and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylphenyl substituents at positions 7 and 8 respectively. A component of orcein, a mixture of dyes isolated from lichens. It has a role as a food colouring, a histological dye and a plant metabolite. It is a cyclic ketone, a phenoxazine, a member of resorcinols and a polyphenol.
8-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylphenyl)-7-hydroxy-1,9-dimethylphenoxazin-3-one