photoanethole photoanethole photoanethole is a naturally occurring organic compound that is found in anise and fennel. it has estrogenic activity, and along with anethole and dianethole, may be responsible for the estrogenic effects of anise and fennel. these compounds bear resemblance to the estrogens stilbene and diethylstilbestrol, which may explain their estrogenic activity. in fact, it is said that diethylstilbestrol and related drugs were originally modeled after photoanethole and dianethole. photoanethole names iupac name 1-methoxy-4-benzene other names bianisal; bianisylidene; p,p′-dimethoxystilbene; 4,4′-dimethoxystilbene identifiers cas number 15638-14-94705-34-4 (non-specific) y 3d model (jsmol) interactive image chemspider 556587 pubchem cid 641296 unii ame9hmb99f y inchi inchi=1s/c16h16o2/c1-17-15-9-5-13(6-10-15)3-4-14-7-11-16(18-2)12-8-14/h3-12h,1-2h3/b4-3+key: cawfcziefiqkrv-onegzznksa-n smiles coc1=cc=c(c=c1)/c=c/c2=cc=c(c=c2)oc properties chemical formula c16h16o2 molar mass 240.302 g·mol−1 except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °c , 100 kpa). infobox references