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
Picolinic acid Picolinic acid Picolinic acid is an organic compound with the formula CHN(COH). It is a derivative of pyridine with a carboxylic acid substituent at the 2-position. It is an isomer of nicotinic acid, which has the carboxyl side chain at the 3-position. It is a white solid that is soluble in water. In synthetic organic chemistry, has been used as a substrate in the Mitsunobu reaction and in the Hammick reaction. Picolinic acid is a bidentate chelating agent of elements such as chromium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and molybdenum in the human body. Many of its complexes are charge-neutral and