What is Abietic Acid
Abietic acid, also known as abietinic acid or sylvic acid, is a naturally occurring chemical molecule found in trees. It is the most prevalent of three closely related organic acids that make up the majority of rosin, the solid portion of the oleoresin of coniferous trees, and is the principal irritant in pine wood and resin. The name for its ester or salt is abietate.
Ships have been sealed with rosin for ages. Additionally, it is applied to the bows of musical instruments in order to make them less slippery. Modern techniques for enhancing the characteristics of rosin acids, which are soft, sticky, low-melting, and prone to rapid oxidation in air, have been developed. Heat treatment considerably increases the stability of a material.
Rosin acids are transformed into ester gum by reacting with glycerol or other polyhydric alcohols in regulated proportions. Paints, varnishes, and lacquers contain ester gum due to its drying qualities.
Structure of Abietic Acid
General Properties of Abietic Acid
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C20H30O2 |
| Molar mass | 302.458 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Yellow resinous powder, crystals or chunks. Monoclinic plates (from EtOH/water). Colorless solid when pure. |
| Density | 1.06 g/mL |
| Melting point | 172–175 °C (342–347 °F; 445–448 K) |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| Solubility in other solvents | Very soluble in acetone, petroleum ether, Et2O, and ethanol |
Abietic Acid Molecular Formula
Abietic acid molecular formula is C20H30O2
Abietic Acid IUPAC Name
Abietic acid IUPAC Name is – Abieta-7,13-dien-18-oic acid
Preferred IUPAC name
(1R,4aR,4bR,10aR)-1,4a-Dimethyl-7-(propan-2-yl)-1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,10,10a-decahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid
Other names
Abietinic acid; Sylvic acid
Uses of Abietic Acid
- Ships have been sealed with rosin for ages. Additionally, it is applied to the bows of musical instruments in order to make them less slippery.
- Modern techniques have been developed for enhancing the characteristics of rosin acids, which are normally soft, sticky, and low-melting, as well as susceptible to quick oxidation in air.
- Heat treatment considerably increases the stability of a material.
- Resin acids are transformed into ester gum by reacting with glycerol or other polyhydric alcohols in regulated proportions. Paints, varnishes, and lacquers contain ester gum due to its drying qualities.
- Rosin has been used to remove the epoxy coatings from integrated circuits. It is also utilized as the core of tin solder wire to improve the flow of molten tin when applied heat is applied.
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
Q.1 What is abietic acid?
Abietic acid, also known as abietinic acid or sylvic acid, is a naturally occurring chemical molecule found in trees. It is the most prevalent of three closely related organic acids that make up the majority of rosin, the solid portion of the oleoresin of coniferous trees, and is the principal irritant in pine wood and resin. The name for its ester or salt is abietate.
Q.2 What are the uses of abietic acid?
Abietic Acid Uses
It is a component in organic synthesis.
It is an essential component of resin.
Rosin Acid Ester is utilized in the manufacture of paints and varnish, soaps, and polymers.
Q.3 Which resin contains abietic acid?
Pine resin
Abietic acid and dehydroabietic acid are the principal constituents of pine resin derived from Pinus species.
Q.4 Where can you find abietic acid?
It is the most prevalent of three closely related organic acids that make up the majority of rosin, the solid portion of the oleoresin of coniferous trees, and is the principal irritant in pine wood and resin.
Q.5 What is the percentage of resin acid in colophony?
Colophony (rosin) is around 50-70 percent resin acids.
