P-anisic acid, known also as 4-methoxybenzoic acid or draconic acid, is an organic acid with sweet flavor. It is one of the isomers (m-anisic acid, and o-anisic acid) of anisic acid. The term anisic acid is often used to describe p-anisic acid. P-anisic acid is produced through the oxidation of p-cresyl-methyl ether.
P-anisic acid is used mostly as photographic chemicals and dye intermediate. It is also used as fragrance and flavoring agent for pharmaceuticals, drug, antimicrobial (against bacterias, mold and yeast), repellent, ovicide, antirheumatic agent, synthetic flavoring agent in foods, lab reagent, fragrance ingredient, and odor masking agent for products. It is also used for the preparation of p-aniosylchloride. Furthermore, it is marketed as preservative-free for surfactant based formulations, such as shampoos, shower gels, and bubble baths.
