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2D Structure
Also known as: 100-21-0, P-phthalic acid, 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, P-dicarboxybenzene, P-benzenedicarboxylic acid
Molecular Formula
C8H6O4
Molecular Weight
166.13  g/mol
InChI Key
KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
FDA UNII
6S7NKZ40BQ

1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
terephthalic acid
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C8H6O4/c9-7(10)5-1-2-6(4-3-5)8(11)12/h1-4H,(H,9,10)(H,11,12)
2.1.3 InChI Key
KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)C(=O)O
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
6S7NKZ40BQ
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Disodium Terephthalate

2. Terephthalate

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. 100-21-0

2. P-phthalic Acid

3. 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic Acid

4. Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic Acid

5. P-dicarboxybenzene

6. P-benzenedicarboxylic Acid

7. P-carboxybenzoic Acid

8. Acide Terephtalique

9. Tephthol

10. 1,4-dicarboxybenzene

11. Kyselina Tereftalova

12. Wr 16262

13. Ta-33mp

14. 4-carboxybenzoic Acid

15. Nsc 36973

16. Hsdb 834

17. P-phthalate

18. Ta 12

19. Kyselina Terftalova

20. Benzene-p-dicarboxylic Acid

21. 6s7nkz40bq

22. Chebi:15702

23. Nsc-36973

24. Para-phthalic Acid

25. Dsstox_cid_6080

26. Dsstox_rid_78007

27. Dsstox_gsid_26080

28. Acide Terephtalique [french]

29. Kyselina Tereftalova [czech]

30. Cas-100-21-0

31. Ccris 2786

32. Einecs 202-830-0

33. Unii-6s7nkz40bq

34. Ecamsule Related Compound C

35. Brn 1909333

36. Terephtalic Acid

37. Ai3-16108

38. P-phthelate

39. P-phthelic Acid

40. Ub7

41. Mfcd00002558

42. P-benzenedicarboxylate

43. Terephthalsäure

44. Benzene-p-dicarboxylate

45. Benzene-1,4-dioic Acid

46. Wln: Qvr Dvq

47. Terephthalic Acid, 97%

48. Terephthalic Acid, 98%

49. Ec 202-830-0

50. Schembl1655

51. Para-benzenedicarboxylic Acid

52. Benzene, P-dicarboxylic Acid

53. 4-09-00-03301 (beilstein Handbook Reference)

54. Bidd:er0245

55. Tere-phthalic Acid (sublimed)

56. Terephthalic Acid [mi]

57. Chembl1374420

58. Dtxsid6026080

59. Terephthalic Acid [hsdb]

60. Benzene, 1,4-dicarboxylic Acid

61. P-dicarboxybenzene P-phthalic Acid

62. Bcp06429

63. Nsc36973

64. Str02759

65. Tox21_201659

66. Tox21_303229

67. S6251

68. Stl281856

69. Zinc12358714

70. Ecamsule Related Compound C Rs

71. Terephthalic Acid, Analytical Standard

72. Akos000119464

73. Cs-w010814

74. Hy-w010098

75. Ncgc00091618-01

76. Ncgc00091618-02

77. Ncgc00091618-03

78. Ncgc00257014-01

79. Ncgc00259208-01

80. Ac-10250

81. Bp-21157

82. Ecamsule Related Compound C [usp-rs]

83. Ft-0674866

84. Ft-0773240

85. T0166

86. Terephthalic Acid 100 Microg/ml In Methanol

87. C06337

88. Terephthalic Acid, Saj Special Grade, >=98.0%

89. A852800

90. Ae-562/40217759

91. Ecamsule Related Compound C [usp Impurity]

92. Q408984

93. Terephthalic Acid, Vetec(tm) Reagent Grade, 98%

94. Z57127536

95. Kyselina Terftalova, Rarechem Al Bo 0011, 1,4-phthalicacid

96. Ecamsule Related Compound C, United States Pharmacopeia (usp) Reference Standard

2.4 Create Date
2004-09-16
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 166.13 g/mol
Molecular Formula C8H6O4
XLogP32
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count2
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count4
Rotatable Bond Count2
Exact Mass166.02660867 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass166.02660867 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area74.6 Ų
Heavy Atom Count12
Formal Charge0
Complexity169
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
4.1 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Free Radical Scavengers

Substances that eliminate free radicals. Among other effects, they protect PANCREATIC ISLETS against damage by CYTOKINES and prevent myocardial and pulmonary REPERFUSION INJURY. (See all compounds classified as Free Radical Scavengers.)


4.2 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

... The concentrations of urine terephthalic acid(TPA) in rats after single oral administration in dose of 100 mg/kg bw were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. ... The results showed that the first-order kinetics and two-compartment model were noted on the elimination of TPA. ... The excretion rates of TPA in urine were about 50%, 52% and 53% in 0-24 hr, 0-48 hr and 0-72 hr respectively after administration. TPA is well absorbed when given orally and rapidly eliminated via urine. Urine TPA at the end of work shift should be considered as a biomarker of exposure for the occupational workers.

PMID:11255755 Yao H et al; Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 30 (1): 23-4 (2001)


Terephthalic acid is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted in the urine apparently unchanged. Dermal or ocular absorption is negligible.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Screening Information Data Set for Terephthalic Acid, (100-21-0) p.14 (June 2001). Available from, as of October 18, 2011: https://www.inchem.org/pages/sids.html


The pharmacokinetics of (14)C terephthalic acid were determined in Fischer-344 rats after iv and oral administration. After iv injection, the plasma concentration-time data were fitted with a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The average terminal half-life in 3 rats was 1.2 + or - 0.4 hr, and the average volume of distribution in the terminal phase was 1.3 + or - 0.3 l/kg. Following administration by gavage, a longer terminal half-life was obtained, indicating that dissolution of (14)C TPA or absorption from the gut may have been partially rate limiting. Recovery of (14)C TPA in the urine following a bolus iv dose was 101 + or - 8%, indicating essentially complete urinary excretion of the compound. No evidence of metabolism of (14)C TPA was obtained by analysis of urine by high-performance liquid chromatography. (14)C TPA was transported to the fetus after administration of the compound to pregnant rats; the concentrations in fetal tissues were low relative to the corresponding maternal tissues. Neonatal rats exposed to 5% TPA in the diet of their dams did not develop calculi until the onset of self-feeding. TPA was rapidly excreted into urine after administration to rats, and excretory mechanisms in the dam provided an effective mechanism of defense against TPA-induced urolithiasis in neonatal rats.

PMID:6128197 Wolkowski-Tyl R et al; Drug Metab Dispos 10 (5): 486-90 (1982)


By use of the Sperber in vivo chicken preparation method, infusion of radiolabeled terephthalic acid ([14C]TPA) into the renal portal circulation revealed a first-pass excretion of the unchanged compound into the urine. This model was utilized further to characterize the excretory transport of [14C]TPA and provide information on the structural specificity in the secretion of dicarboxylic acids. At an infusion rate of 0.4 nmol/min. 60% of the [14C]TPA which reached the kidney was directly excreted. An infusion rate of 3 or 6 mumol/min resulted in complete removal of [14C]TPA by the kidney. These results indicate that TPA is both actively secreted and actively reabsorbed when infused at 0.4 nmol/min and that active reabsorption is saturated with the infusion of TPA at higher concentrations. The secretory process was saturated with the infusion of TPA at 40 mumol/mn. The excretory transport of TPA was inhibited by the infusion of probenecid, salicylate, and m-hydroxybenzoic acid, indicating that these organic acids share the same organic anion excretory transport process. m-Hydroxybenzoic acid did not alter the simultaneously measured excretory transport of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), suggesting that there are different systems involved in the secretion of TPA and PAH. The structural specificity for renal secretion of dicarboxylic acids was revealed by the use of o-phthalic acid and m-phthalic acid as possible inhibitors of TPA secretion. m-Phthalate, but not o-phthalate, inhibited TPA excretory transport, indicating that there is some specificity in the renal secretion of carboxy-substituted benzoic acids. TPA was actively accumulated by rat and human cadaver renal cortical slices.

PMID:3966238 Tremaine LM, Quebbemann AJ; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 77 (1): 165-74 (1985)


(14)C-Labeled terephthalic acid may be both secreted and reabsorbed by the nephron, and when infused at 3 or 6 umol/min its excretion efficiency is comparable to that of p-aminohippuric acid and tetraethylammonium.

Quebbemann AJ et al; Monogr Appl Pharm (Nephrotoxicity) (1): 113-6 (1982)


4.3 Metabolism/Metabolites

A Rhodococcus species was isolated from soil by enriching for growth with dimethyl terephthalate as the sole carbon source. The organism degraded dimethyl terephthalate by hydrolysis of ester-bonds to free terephthalic acid which in turn was metabolized through protocatechuate by an ortho-cleavage pathway.

Ninnekar HZ, Pujar BG; Ind J Biochem Biophys 22 (4): 232-5 (1985)


No evidence of metabolism of (14)C TPA was obtained by analysis of urine by high-performance liquid chromatography /following an iv dose to Fischer-344 rats/.

PMID:6128197 Wolkowski-Tyl R et al; Drug Metab Dispos 10 (5): 486-90 (1982)


4.4 Biological Half-Life

... The concentrations of urine terephthalic acid(TPA) in rats after single oral administration in dose of 100 mg/kg bw were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. ... The results showed that the first-order kinetics and two-compartment model were noted on the elimination of TPA. The main toxicokinetic parameters were as follows: Ka = 0.51/hr, half-life ka = 0.488 hr, half-life alpha = 2.446 hr, time to peak = 2.160 hr, Ku = 0.143/hr, half-life beta = 31.551 hr, Xu(max) = 10.00 mg. ...

PMID:11255755 Yao H et al; Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 30 (1): 23-4 (2001)


The pharmacokinetics of (14)C labeled terephthalic acid were determined in Fischer 344 rats after iv and oral administration. After iv injection, the plasma concentration-time data were fitted using a 3-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The avg terminal half-life in rats was 1.2 hr and the average volume of distribution in the terminal phase was 1.3 L/kg.

PMID:6128197 Wolkowski-Tyl R et al; Drug Metab Dispos 10 (5): 486-90 (1982)


(14)C-Terephthalic acid has a short elimination half-life (approximately 60-100 minutes) in the plasma; however, the apparent half-life was longer following administration by gavage.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Screening Information Data Set for Terephthalic Acid, (100-21-0) p.14 (June 2001). Available from, as of October 18, 2011: https://www.inchem.org/pages/sids.html


4.5 Mechanism of Action

/The aim of this study was/ to investgate the metabolism of terephthalic acid (TPA) in rats and its mechanism. Metabolism was evaluated by incubating sodium terephthalate (NaTPA) with rat normal liver microsomes, or with microsomes pretreated by phenobarbital sodium, or with 3-methycholanthrene, or with diet control following a NADPH-generating system. The determination was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the mutagenic activation was analyzed by umu tester strain Salmonella typhimurium NM2009. Expression of CYP4B1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The amount of NaTPA (12.5-200 uL /per/ L) detected by HPLC did not decrease in microsomes induced by NADPH-generating system. Incubation of TPA (0.025-0.1 mmol /per/ L) with induced or noninduced liver microsomes in an NM2009 umu response system did not show any mutagenic activation. TPA exposure increased the expression of CYP4B 1 mRNA in rat liver, kidney, and bladder. Lack of metabolism of TPA in liver and negative genotoxic data from NM2009 study are consistent with other previous short-term tests...

PMID:16673812 Dai GD et al; Biomed Environ Sci 19 (1): 8-14 (2006)