Homogentisic acid

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Homogentisic acid
IUPAC name 2-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)acetic acid
Identifiers
CAS number [451-13-8]
PubChem 780
MeSH Homogentisic+acid
SMILES C1=CC(=C(C=C1O)CC(=O)O)O
Properties
Molecular formula C8H8O4
Molar mass 168.147 g/mol
Melting point

150°C to 152°C

Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Homogentisic acid is the common name for 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.

It is less commonly known as "Melanic acid", the name chosen by William Prout.

[edit] Pathology

Accumulation of excess homogentisic acid is a result of the failure of the enzyme homogentisic acid 1,2-dioxygenase (typically due to a mutation) and is associated with alkaptonuria.

[edit] See also