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
Benzilic acid Benzilic acid Benzilic acid is an organic compound with formula or ()(HO)C(COOH). It is a white crystalline aromatic acid, soluble in many primary alcohols. Benzilic acid can be prepared by heating mixture of benzil, ethanol and potassium hydroxide. Another preparation, performed by Liebig in 1838, is the dimerization of benzaldehyde, to benzil, which is transformed to the product by the benzilic acid rearrangement reaction. Benzilic acid is used in the manufacture of glycollate pharmaceuticals including Clidinium, Dilantin, and Flutropium, which are antagonists of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It is used in manufacture of the incapacitating agent 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ) and