Gallic acid

<p>Gallic acid (also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a <a href="/facts/Trihydroxybenzoic_acid/6vueeUqe">trihydroxybenzoic acid</a> with the formula <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">C</a>6<a href="/facts/Hydrogen/BoYHjl0J">H</a>2(<a href="/facts/Hydroxide/zW0wxpWD">OH</a>)3CO2H. It is classified as a <a href="/facts/Phenolic_acid/AzjpYfBw">phenolic acid</a>. It is found in <a href="/facts/Gallnut/DUrVrnu6">gallnuts</a>, <a href="/facts/Sumac/ABdDzFAD">sumac</a>, <a href="/facts/Witch-hazel/yDLghsWN">witch hazel</a>, <a href="/facts/Tea/oDQhcyrc">tea</a> leaves, <a href="/facts/Oak_bark/maIL5BcB">oak bark</a>, and other <a href="/facts/Plant/X5BMDMvS">plants</a>. It is a white solid, although samples are typically brown owing to partial oxidation.  <a href="/facts/Salt_(chemistry)/lsSKwGpn">Salts</a> and <a href="/facts/Ester/FoUAIIw4">esters</a> of gallic acid are termed "gallates".
</p><p>Its name is derived from <a href="/facts/Oak_gall/ArXw5C2d">oak galls</a>, which were historically used to prepare <a href="/facts/Tannic_acid/BhV9sSYY">tannic acid</a>. Despite the name, gallic acid does not contain <a href="/facts/Gallium/EucevDs9">gallium</a>.
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Gallic acid open-in-new

Gallic acid