P-Anisic acid explained

p-Anisic acid, also known as 4-methoxybenzoic acid or draconic acid, is one of the isomers of anisic acid. The term "anisic acid" often refers to this form specifically. It is a white crystalline solid which is insoluble in water, highly soluble in alcohols, and soluble in ether and ethyl acetate.

Synthesis and occurrence

p-Anisic acid is found naturally in anise. It can also be obtained synthetically by the oxidation of anethole, anisaldehyde,^[1] or p-methoxyacetophenone.

Uses

p-Anisic acid has antiseptic properties.^[2] It is also used as an intermediate in the preparation of more complex organic compounds.

Notes and References

1. 10.1016/j.ces.2013.05.043 . Kinetics of micellar catalysis on oxidation of p-anisaldehyde to p-anisic acid in aqueous medium at room temperature . 2013 . Saha . Rumpa . Ghosh . Aniruddha . Saha . Bidyut . Chemical Engineering Science . 99 . 23–27 . 2013ChEnS..99...23S .
2. 10.1007/s00284-018-1492-2 . Antimicrobial Ingredients as Preservative Booster and Components of Self-Preserving Cosmetic Products . 2019 . Herman . Anna . Current Microbiology . 76 . 6 . 744–754 . 29651551 .