The title compound, C10H12O2, was synthesized as a candidate for further functionalization. The asymmetric unit comprises two independent molecules, both of which are situated on a center of symmetry. Both molecules are involved in a network of hydrogen bonding, with each alcohol group participating in one hydrogen bond as a donor and in a second hydrogen bond as an acceptor

. Second, to study the synergistic effect of halogen and silicon atoms in molecules undergoing mass spectrometry. Fragmentation patterns of trimethylsilyl derivatives of HAPs were found to depend on the nature of the halogen atom; this was in agreement with DFT-calculations. The data suggest that a novel intramolecular halogen transfer takes place during the fragmentation process.