Oxidation pattern of tapinarof as a topical drug with potential to form Pi-stacking and dimers.

The unique chemical structure of the therapeutic agent tapinarof (TPN) closely affects its reactivity and ability to interact. Its oxidative transformation leads to the formation of a keto group in the alkene part of TPN and then to a quinone and dimerization. Pi-stacking and H-bonds participate in the formation of non-covalent TPN-dimeric structures.