Orsellinic acid

Orsellinic Acid, more specifically o-orsellinic acid or 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid, is an organic acid. It is of importance in the fields of organic chemistry and the biochemistry of lichens, from which source it can be extracted. It can also be prepared by the oxidation of orcyl aldehyde. This is also produced when everninic acid and ramalic acid is boiled with barium hydroxide. It forms colourless crystals in the form of needles which on rapid heating melt with decomposition in the neighborhood of 175 degrees Celsius.