Cinnamic Acid

Cinnamic Acid

Cinnamic acid whose term in the IUPAC nomenclature is: 3-phenylprop-2E-enoic acid and whose alternative name is: trans-cinnamic acid is a compound having brute or molecular formula C9H8O2, with chemical formula: C6H5CH = CHCOOH.
Cinnamic acid is a white acid, with a crystalline needle-like appearance, slightly soluble in water, more easily in alcohol and ether, characterized by a smell of honey and flowers but with a bitter taste. The ordinary cinnamic acid is the trans form 133 ° fuse. Although it had been known for a long time, it was confused with benzoic acid, until Bizio in 1826 showed that it was a special acid. In 1889 Liebermann obtained cis-cinnamic acid for the first time, obtaining it as a cleavage product of the secondary alkaloids that are contained in coca.
Cinnamic acid is a biochemical compound that is derived from some natural sources but can be chemically synthesized.

Cinnamic acid is found in the essential oil of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) in some balms such as storax (or styrax oil, extracted from plants of the genus Liquidambar), in the balm of Tolù or Peru or in butter shea.
Due to its synthetic preparation, cinnamic acid is produced by saponification with caustic soda. A sodium salt is thus obtained which, treated with hydrochloric acid forms cinnamic acid and a chloride salt. During the synthesis two isomers are formed in the trans- and cis- form.
As for the biosynthesis of cinnamic acid, as for other simple phenols, it is synthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine which, through the action of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAP) forms the molecule of cinnamic acid.
Cinnamic acid and its esters are used in the cosmetics, perfume and food industries for the synthesis of aromatic compounds.

Warning: The information given is not medical advice and may not be accurate. The contents are for illustrative purposes only and do not replace medical advice.