Orsellinic acid, more specifically o-orsellinic acid, is a phenolic acid. It is of importance in the biochemistry of lichens, from which it can be extracted.[1] It is a common subunit of depsides.

Orsellinic acid
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2,4-Dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.115.964 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C8H8O4/c1-4-2-5(9)3-6(10)7(4)8(11)12/h2-3,9-10H,1H3,(H,11,12) checkY
    Key: AMKYESDOVDKZKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C8H8O4/c1-4-2-5(9)3-6(10)7(4)8(11)12/h2-3,9-10H,1H3,(H,11,12)
    Key: AMKYESDOVDKZKV-UHFFFAOYAS
  • O=C(O)c1c(cc(O)cc1O)C
Properties
C8H8O4
Molar mass 168.148 g·mol−1
Melting point 176 °C (349 °F; 449 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Chemistry edit

It can be prepared by the oxidation of orsellaldehyde,[2] or through a Michael adduct:

 

This can also be produced by the hydrolysis of either everninic acid orramalic acid by boiling with barium hydroxide. When crystallized from acetone it forms crystalline needles with a melting point of 176 °C.[3] It also forms a crystalline hydrate with a melting point of 186-189 °C when crystallized from water.[3]

Orsellinic acid is biosynthesized by a polyketide pathway.

 
Biosynthesis of orsellinic acid from polyketides

References edit

  1. ^ Nolan, T. J.; Keane, J.; Davidson, V. E. (1940). "Chemical constituents of the lichen Parmelia latissima Fee". Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Series A. 22: 237–239.
  2. ^ Kang, Ying; Mei, Yan; Du, Yuguo; Jin, Zhendong (2003). "Total Synthesis of the Highly Potent Anti-HIV Natural Product Daurichromenic Acid along with Its Two Chromane Derivatives, Rhododaurichromanic Acids A and B". Organic Letters. 5 (23): 4481–4484. doi:10.1021/ol030109m. PMID 14602030.
  3. ^ a b Merck Index (11th ed.). p. 1179-1180. 7009. o-Orsellinic acid.