Overview
Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid derivative widely distributed in plants such as gallnuts, sumac, and tea leaves. It has been used since ancient times in tanning and dyeing processes due to its astringent properties. Today, it serves as a versatile building block in organic synthesis and a natural antioxidant in food preservation. Industrially, gallic acid is produced through acid hydrolysis of tannins extracted from plant sources. Its three hydroxyl groups make it highly reactive, enabling applications ranging from metal chelation to polymer synthesis. The compound is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for specific food uses.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Gallic acid crystallizes as colorless needles or powder with a characteristic slight phenolic odor. It exhibits moderate solubility in polar solvents (47 g/L in water at 20°C) due to hydrogen bonding capacity. The compound demonstrates thermal instability, decomposing at 250°C without melting. Chemically, it behaves as both a weak acid (pKa~4.4) and a reducing agent. Its antioxidant activity stems from donating hydrogen atoms from phenolic hydroxyls to free radicals. Under alkaline conditions, gallic acid oxidizes readily, forming yellow-colored quinones. These redox properties make it valuable in photometric analysis and oxygen-scavenging applications.
Main Applications
In pharmaceuticals, gallic acid derivatives form the basis of trimethoprim antibiotics and are studied for anticancer properties. The food industry utilizes it as a natural preservative (E314) in oils and processed meats to prevent rancidity. Technical applications include photographic developers, where it acts as a reducing agent, and dye manufacturing as a precursor to pyrogallol. Recent research explores its use in biodegradable polymers and conductive inks. In analytical chemistry, it serves as a standard for phenolic content assays like the Folin-Ciocalteu test.
Safety and Storage
Gallic acid poses low acute toxicity (LD50 oral rat: 5000 mg/kg) but may cause mechanical eye irritation due to its crystalline form. Powder handling requires NIOSH-approved dust masks and chemical goggles to prevent exposure. Proper storage involves double-sealed polyethylene bags within fiber drums, maintained below 30°C with <60% relative humidity. Incompatible with strong oxidizers and bases—isolate from peroxides and alkali metals. Shelf life typically exceeds 3 years when stored correctly, though discoloration may indicate oxidation degradation.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should specify required purity grades: technical (95%), food (97%), or pharmaceutical (99%). Request COA with HPLC purity, heavy metal content (<10ppm), and residual solvent analysis. For international shipments, confirm compliance with regional regulations: REACH for Europe, TSCA for the US, and IECSC for China. Bulk purchases (500kg+) often secure 10-15% price discounts. Consider suppliers with ISO 9001 certification and batch traceability systems. Just-in-time delivery is recommended due to potential moisture absorption during prolonged warehousing.
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