Phenylacetic acid

Phenylacetic acid

Names
IUPAC name Phenylacetic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	103-82-2 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:30745 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1044 Y
ChemSpider	10181341 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.002.862
UNII	ER5I1W795A Y
InChI InChI=1S/C8H8O2/c9-8(10)6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5H,6H2,(H,9,10) Y Key: WLJVXDMOQOGPHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C8H8O2/c9-8(10)6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5H,6H2,(H,9,10) Key: WLJVXDMOQOGPHL-UHFFFAOYAR
SMILES O=C(O)Cc1ccccc1
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H8O2
Molar mass	136.15 g/mol
Density	1.0809 g/cm3
Melting point	76 to 77 °C (169 to 171 °F; 349 to 350 K)
Boiling point	265.5 °C (509.9 °F; 538.6 K)
Solubility in water	15 g/L
Acidity (pKa)	4.31
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-82.72·10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Phenylacetic acid (PAA) (conjugate base phenylacetate), also known by various synonyms, is an organic compound containing a phenyl functional group and a carboxylic acid functional group. It is a white solid with a disagreeable odor. Endogeneously, it is a catabolite of phenylalanine. As a commercial chemical, because it can be used in the illicit production of phenylacetone (used in the manufacture of substituted amphetamines), it is subject to controls in countries including the United States and China.

Synonyms include α-toluic acid, benzeneacetic acid, alpha tolylic acid, 2-phenylacetic acid, and β-phenylacetic acid . Raja

Phenylacetic acid has been found to be an active auxin (a type of plant hormone), found predominantly in fruits. However, its effect is much weaker than the effect of the basic auxin molecule indole-3-acetic acid. In addition the molecule is naturally produced by the metapleural gland of most ant species and used as an antimicrobial. It is also the oxidation product of phenethylamine in humans following metabolism by monoamine oxidase and subsequent metabolism of the intermediate product, phenylacetaldehyde, by the aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme; these enzymes are also found in many other organisms.