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
Trichloroisocyanuric acid Trichloroisocyanuric acid Trichloroisocyanuric acid is an organic compound with the formula (CClNO). It is used as an industrial disinfectant, bleaching agent and a reagent in organic synthesis. This white crystalline powder, which has a strong "chlorine odour," is sometimes sold in tablet or granule form for domestic and industrial use. Salts of trichloroisocyanuric acid are known as trichloroisocyanurates. Trichloroisocyanuric acid is prepared from cyanuric acid via a reaction with chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. The compound is a disinfectant, algicide and bactericide mainly for swimming pools and dyestuffs, and is also used as a bleaching agent in the textile industry.