A colorless crystalline compound, C7H6O5, derived from tannin and used as a tanning agent, as an ink dye, and in photography and the manufacture of paper.
[French acide gallique, from galle, plant gall. See gall3.]
Dictionary:
gal·lic acid (găl'ĭk, gô'lĭk) ![]() |
[French acide gallique, from galle, plant gall. See gall3.]
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| Chemistry Dictionary: gallic acid |
A colourless crystalline aromatic compound, C6H2(OH)3COOH; m.p. 253°C. It occurs in wood, oak galls, and tea, and is a component of tannins. It can be made from tannin by acid hydrolysis or fermentation. Gallic acid is used to make ink and various dyes. On heating it yields pyrogallol.

| Dental Dictionary: gallic acid |
An astringent used topically, made from tannic acid or nut-galls, and chemically known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid.
| Columbia Encyclopedia: gallic acid |
| Wikipedia: Gallic acid |
| Gallic acid | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name |
3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid
|
| Other names | Gallic acid Gallate 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 149-91-7 |
| PubChem | 370 |
| SMILES |
Oc1cc(cc(O)c1O)C(O)=O
|
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C7H6O5 |
| Molar mass | 170.12 g/mol |
| Exact mass | 170.021523 |
| Appearance | White, yellowish-white, or pale fawn-colored crystals. |
| Density | 1.7 g/cm3 (anhydrous) |
| Melting point |
250 °C, 523 K, 482 °F |
| Solubility in water | 1.1 g/100 ml water @ 20° C (anhydrous) 1.5 g/100 ml water @ 20 °C (monohydrate) |
| Acidity (pKa) | COOH: 4.5, OH: 10. |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| Main hazards | Irritant |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | Benzoic acid, Phenol, Pyrogallol |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
|
| Infobox references | |
Gallic acid is an organic acid, also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, found in gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plants.[1] The chemical formula is C6H2(OH)3COOH. Gallic acid is found both free and as part of tannins. Salts and esters of gallic acid are termed gallates. Despite its name, it does not contain gallium.
Gallic acid is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry.[2] It is used as a standard for determining the phenol content of various analytes by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay; results are reported in gallic acid equivalents.[3] Gallic acid can also be used as a starting material in the synthesis of the psychedelic alkaloid mescaline.[4]
Gallic acid was one of the substances used by Angelo Mai among other early investigators of palimpsests to clear the top layer of text off and reveal hidden manuscripts underneath. Mai was the first to employ it, but did so "with a heavy hand," often damaging manuscripts for future study.[citation needed]
"Gallic acid seems to have anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Gallic acid acts as a antioxidant and helps to protect our cells against oxidative damage. Gallic acid was found to show cytotoxicity against cancer cells, without harming healthy cells. Gallic acid is used as a remote astringent in cases of internal haemorrhage. Gallic acid is also used to treat albuminuria and diabetes. Some ointment to treat psoriasis and external haemorrhoids contain gallic acid."[5]
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![]() | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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