Orsellinic acid

Orsellinic acid, more specifically o-orsellinic acid, is a phenolic acid. It is of importance in the biochemistry of lichens, from which it can be extracted. It is a common subunit of depsides. Orsellinic acid, more specifically o-orsellinic acid, is a phenolic acid. It is of importance in the biochemistry of lichens, from which it can be extracted. It is a common subunit of depsides. It can be prepared by the oxidation of orsellaldehyde. This is also produced when everninic acid and ramalic acid is boiled with barium hydroxide. It forms colorless crystals in the form of needles which on rapid heating melt with decomposition in the neighborhood of 175 °C.