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
Pimelic acid Pimelic acid Pimelic acid is the organic compound with the formula HOC(CH)COH. Derivatives of pimelic acid are involved in the biosynthesis of the amino acid called lysine. Pimelic acid is one unit longer than a related dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, a precursor to many polyesters and polyamides. It is the final member of the mnemonic used to aid recollection of the order of the first six dicarboxylic acids using their common (not IUPAC) nomenclature: Dicarboxylic acid Pimelic acid has been synthesized from cyclohexanone and from salicylic acid. In the former route, the additional carbon is supplied by dimethyloxalate, which reacts