tereftaalihapon

Tereftaalihappo, also known as terephthalic acid, is an organic compound with the formula C8H6O4. It is a white solid and a dicarboxylic acid, meaning it contains two carboxyl functional groups. Terephthalic acid is one of the three isomers of phthalic acid, with the other two being isophthalic acid and orthophthalic acid.

The primary use of terephthalic acid is in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is a versatile plastic used extensively in the manufacturing of beverage bottles, food containers, synthetic fibers for clothing and carpets, and films. The process involves the esterification of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol. This large-scale production makes terephthalic acid a significant industrial chemical.

Terephthalic acid itself has limited solubility in water. It is typically produced through the oxidation of para-xylene. This oxidation process is a cornerstone of the petrochemical industry. While the pure acid is important, its dimethyl ester, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), was historically also a significant intermediate in PET production, though direct use of terephthalic acid is now more common. The properties of terephthalic acid, particularly its rigidity and thermal stability, contribute to the desirable characteristics of the polymers derived from it.