8-Hydroxyquinoline is a monoprotic bidentate chelating agent, exhibits antiseptic, disinfectant, and pesticide properties.

Pyrocatechol its sulfonic acid is often present in the urine of many mammals. Small amounts of catechol occur naturally in fruits and vegetables along with the enzyme polyphenol oxidase.

Methyl nomilinate from citrus can modulate cell cycle regulators to induce cytotoxicity in human colon cancer (SW480) cells in vitro.