Terephthalic acid Terephthalic acid Terephthalic acid is an organic compound with formula CH(COH). This white solid is a commodity chemical, used principally as a precursor to the polyester PET, used to make clothing and plastic bottles. Several million tonnes are produced annually. The common name is derived from the turpentine-producing tree "Pistacia terebinthus" and phthalic acid. Terephthalic acid was first isolated (from turpentine) by the French chemist Amédée Cailliot (1805–1884) in 1846. Terephthalic acid became industrially important after World War II. Terephthalic acid was produced by oxidation of "p"-xylene with dilute nitric acid. Air oxidation of "p"-xylene gives "p"-toluic acid, which resists
Chlorendic acid is used in corrosion-resistant plastics. Chlorendic acid Chlorendic acid, or 1,4,5,6,7,7-hexachlorobicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, is a chlorinated hydrocarbon used in the synthesis of some flame retardants and polymers. It is a common breakdown product of several organochlorine insecticides. Chlorendic acid is a white crystalline material with chemical formula . It is also called HET acid, hexachloroendomethylenetetrahydrophthalic acid, 1,4,5,6,7,7-hexachloro-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, and 1,4,5,6,7,7-hexachlorobicyclo[2.2.1]-5-heptene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid. It is produced both as acid and as its anhydride. The anhydride has CAS number . Chlorendic acid is slightly soluble in water and nonpolar organic solvents (e.g. benzene, hexane, carbon tetrachloride). It is easily soluble in slightly polar organic