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Names | |
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IUPAC name 3,5,6,8-Tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic acid | |
Other names
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
ChEBI | |
ChemSpider | |
KEGG | |
UNII | |
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Properties | |
C16H10O8 | |
Molar mass | 330.248 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Red crystalline needles[1] |
Melting point | 320 °C (608 °F; 593 K) (decomp.)[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Kermesic acid is an anthraquinone derivative and the main component of the red dyekermes (false carmine). The compound is theaglycone ofcarminic acid, the main component of truecarmine. As a dye, it is known as Natural Red 3.
Kermesic acid, like carminic acid and thelaccaic acids, is an insect dye obtained fromscale insects. Kermesic acid is found in insects of the genusKermes. It is the only colored component of the dye kermes.[2]
The chemical structure of kermesic acid was elucidated byOtto Dimroth in 1916.[3][4]