Dihydroxybenzoic Acids

Dihydroxybenzoic acids (DHBA) are a type of

phenolic acid Phenolic acids or phenolcarboxylic acids are types of aromatic acid compounds. Included in that class are substances containing a phenolic ring and an organic carboxylic acid function (C6-C1 skeleton). Two important naturally occurring types of ph ...

s. There are six main compounds, having all the same molecular formula C₇H₆O₄. Those are: *

2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a natural phenol found in ''Phyllanthus acidus'' and in the aquatic fern ''Salvinia molesta''. It is also abundant in the fruits of '' Flacourtia inermis''. It is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of organic compound. T ...

(2-Pyrocatechuic acid or hypogallic acid) *

2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (Resochin, sontochin, SN-7619, β-resorcylic acid) is a dihydroxybenzoic acid. As a ''resorcylic acid'', it is one of the three isomeric crystalline acids that are both carboxyl derivatives of resorcinol and dihydroxy de ...

(β-Resorcylic acid) *

2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid Gentisic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid. It is a derivative of benzoic acid and a minor (1%) product of the metabolic break down of aspirin, excreted by the kidneys. It is also found in the African tree '' Alchornea cordifolia'' and in wine. P ...

(Gentisic acid) *

2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (γ-resorcylic acid) is a dihydroxybenzoic acid. It is a very strong acid due to its intramolecular hydrogen Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element ...

(γ-Resorcylic acid) *

3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid. It is a major metabolite of antioxidant polyphenols found in green tea. It has mixed effects on normal and cancer cells in ''in vitro'' and ''in vivo'' studies. Biolo ...

(Protocatechuic acid) *

3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (α-resorcylic acid) is a dihydroxybenzoic acid. It is a colorless solid. Preparation and occurrence It is prepared by disulfonation of benzoic acid followed by hydrolysis of the disulfonate. It is a metabolite of alky ...

(α-Resorcylic acid)

Orsellinic acid 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. It is a common subunit of depsides. Chemistry It can be prepared by the oxi ...

is also a dihydoxybenzoic acid having an extra methyl group. {{Chemistry index Dihydroxybenzoic acids