The pure abietic acid is virtually odorless. The mmmercial material has a faint, pleasant resinous odor.
Abietic acid is probably a major allergen of colophony,
by way of oxidation products. Its detection in a
material indicates that allergenic components of colophony
are present.
yellow resinous powder, crystals or chunks
manufacture of esters (ester gums), e.g., methyl ester, vinyl and glyceryl esters for use in lacquers and varnishes;
manufacture of "metal resinates", soaps, plastics, and paper sizes; assists growth of lactic and butyric acid bacteria;
component in tall oil used as deodorizing agent in cooling fluids; major component of rosin used in the production of varnishes,
printing inks, paper, soldering fluxes, greases, cutting fluids, glue tackifiers, adhesives, surface coatings, polish, shoes, insulations,
waxes, cosmetics (mascara, rouge, eye shadow), topical medicaments, violin bow rosin, day, athletic grip aid, pine oil deansers;
component in dental impression materials and periodontal packings
Abietic acid is used to make ester gums in lacquers, varnishes and soaps. It is also used in metal resonates and plastics. Further, it is utilized in musical instruments to make them less slippery. It acts as a precursor to natural product synthesis. In addition to this, it is used to depackage integrated circuits from their epoxy coatings.
Abietic Acid is the primary component of resin acid found commonly in rosin. Abietic Acid exhibited potent testosterone 5α-reductase inhibitory activity in vitro.
ChEBI: An abietane diterpenoid that is abieta-7,13-diene substituted by a carboxy group at position 18.
by distillation of Rosin (from American Turpentine, e. g.) or by treatment with acid to isomenze the natural Levopimaric acid. Purification over the Diamylammonium salt.
Yellowish resinous powder.
ABIETIC ACID reacts exothermically with bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Can react with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Such reactions are slow if the solid acid remains dry. Can react with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The reaction is slow for dry, solid carboxylic acids. Insoluble carboxylic acids react with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Flammable and/or toxic gases and heat are generated by the reaction of carboxylic acids with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Carboxylic acids, especially in aqueous solution, also react with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Their reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates generates a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Like other organic compounds, carboxylic acids can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. A wide variety of products is possible. Like other acids, carboxylic acids may initiate polymerization reactions; like other acids, they often catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions.
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Slight fire hazard, slight explosive hazard as dust. Low toxicity.
Abietic acid is probably the major allergen of colophony,
along with dehydroabietic acid, by way of oxidation
products. Its detection in a material indicates that
allergenic components of colophony are present
Poison by intravenous route.Combustible. Slight explosion hazard as dust. Whenheated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke andirritating fumes.
soluble in alcohol and oils. Also soluble in aqueous solution of Sodium hydroxide.
Filter, dry it in a vacuum (over KOH or CaSO4) and store it in an O2-free atmosphere. It can also be purified via the anhydride, tritylabietate and the potassium, piperidine and brucine salts. max : nm(log ): 2343(4.3), 241(4.4), 2505(4.2), 235(4.34) and 240(4.36) in Et. [Harris & Sanderson Org Synth Coll Vol IV 1 1963, J Am Chem Soc 35 3736 1949, Lambard & Frey Bull Soc Chim Fr 1194 1948, Buchbauer et al. Monatsh Chem 116 1345 1985.] [Beilstein 9 IV 2175.]
