Phenolic acid


Phenolic acids or phenolcarboxylic acids are types of aromatic acid compound. Included in that class are substances containing a phenolic ring and an organic carboxylic acid function. Two important naturally occurring types of phenolic acids are hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids, which are derived from non-phenolic molecules of benzoic and cinnamic acid, respectively.

Occurrences

Phenolic acids can be found in many plant species. Their content in dried fruits can be high.
Natural phenols in horse grams are mostly phenolic acids, namely 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic, p-hydroxy benzoic, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, syringic, and sinapinic acids.
Phenolic acids can be found in mushroom Basidiomycetes species. It is also a part of the humic substances, which are the major organic constituents of soil humus.
Many phenolic acids can be found in human urine.

Chemistry

Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase can be used to catalyze the direct acetylation of flavonoids with phenolic acids.