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Orsellinic acid

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Orsellinic acid
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2,4-Dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.115.964 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C8H8O4/c1-4-2-5(9)3-6(10)7(4)8(11)12/h2-3,9-10H,1H3,(H,11,12) checkY
    Key: AMKYESDOVDKZKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C8H8O4/c1-4-2-5(9)3-6(10)7(4)8(11)12/h2-3,9-10H,1H3,(H,11,12)
    Key: AMKYESDOVDKZKV-UHFFFAOYAS
  • O=C(O)c1c(cc(O)cc1O)C
Properties
C8H8O4
Molar mass 168.148 g·mol−1
Melting point 176 °C (349 °F; 449 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Orsellinic acid, more specifically o-orsellinic acid, is a phenolic acid. It is of importance in the biochemistry of lichens, from which it can be extracted.[1] It is a common subunit of depsides.

Chemistry

[edit]

It can be prepared by the oxidation of orsellaldehyde,[2] or through a Michael adduct:

Ethyl acetoacetate condenses with ethyl crotonate to give ethyl dihydroorsellinate, followed by oxidation and hydrolysis

This can also be produced by the hydrolysis of either everninic acid or ramalic acid by boiling with barium hydroxide. When crystallized from acetone it forms crystalline needles with a melting point of 176 °C.[3] It also forms a crystalline hydrate with a melting point of 186-189 °C when crystallized from water.[3]

Orsellinic acid is biosynthesized by a polyketide pathway.

Biosynthesis of orsellinic acid from polyketides

References

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  1. ^ Nolan, T. J.; Keane, J.; Davidson, V. E. (1940). "Chemical constituents of the lichen Parmelia latissima Fee". Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Series A. 22: 237–239.
  2. ^ Kang, Ying; Mei, Yan; Du, Yuguo; Jin, Zhendong (2003). "Total Synthesis of the Highly Potent Anti-HIV Natural Product Daurichromenic Acid along with Its Two Chromane Derivatives, Rhododaurichromanic Acids A and B". Organic Letters. 5 (23): 4481–4484. doi:10.1021/ol030109m. PMID 14602030.
  3. ^ a b Merck Index (11th ed.). p. 1179-1180. 7009. o-Orsellinic acid.