phthalic acid

noun

1. Chemistry.,  any of three isomeric acids having the formula C 8 H 6 O 4 , especially the ortho isomer orthophthalic acid, a colorless, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes, medicine, and perfume.

2. isophthalic acid.

3. terephthalic acid.

phthalic acid

/ ˈfθæl-, ˈθælɪk /

noun

1. a soluble colourless crystalline acid used in the synthesis of dyes and perfumes; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. Formula: C 6 H 4 (COOH) 2

phthalic acid

1. A colorless, crystalline organic acid prepared from naphthalene and used in the synthesis of dyes, perfumes, and other organic compounds. Chemical formula: C ₈ H ₆ O ₄ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of phthalic acid¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Word History and Origins

Origin of phthalic acid¹

C19 phthalic, from phthal- (see _phthalein ) + _-ic

Example Sentences

Thus benzoic acid is the carboxyl-derivative of benzene, and the phthalic acid with which we are now concerned is a dicarboxyl-derivative of benzene.

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An important oxidation synthesis of aromatic acids is from hydrocarbons with aliphatic side chains; thus toluene, or methylbenzene, yields benzoic acid, the xylenes, or dimethyl-benzene, yield methyl-benzoic acids and phthalic acids.

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Resorcinol is a phenolic derivative of benzene containing two hydroxyl groups; it is therefore related to phenol in the same way that diamidobenzene is related to aniline or phthalic acid to benzoic acid.

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One of these compounds, phthalic acid, is obtained from naphthalene, and the other, resorcin or resorcinol, is prepared from benzene.

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Three isomeric phthalic acids are known, but only one of these is of use in the present branch of manufacture.

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