CAS 121-34-6PubChem CID 8468
Vanillic Acid
Vanillic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is 4-hydroxybenzoic acid substituted by a methoxy group at position 3. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a methoxybenzoic acid and a monohydroxybenzoic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a vanillate. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C8H8O4
- Molecular weight
- 168.15 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 168.04225873 Da
- XLogP3
- 1.4
- Topological polar surface area
- 66.8 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 4
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
Acide vanilliqueBenzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acidGM8Q3JM2Y8Acid, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoicNSC-3987NSC-674322FEMA NO. 3988
16 more reported names
CHEBI:30816Acid, Vanillic4 Hydroxy 3 methoxybenzoic Acidp Hydroxy m methoxy benzoic Acidp-Hydroxy-m-methoxy-benzoic AcidAcid, p-Hydroxy-m-methoxy-benzoicRefChem:6346204-466-8p-Vanillic acidVanillicAcidm-Anisic acid, 4-hydroxy-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-Benzoic acidProtocatechuic acid, 3-methyl esterNSC 3987NSC 6743224-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoicacid
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:30816
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL120568
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID6059522
- PubMed:36764371
- PubMed:33651899
- PubMed:28594102
- PubMed:25794854
- PubMed:24165878
- PubMed:23800587
- PubMed:23738459
- PubMed:22633976
- PubMed:22540029
- PubMed:22515452
- PubMed:22493033
- PubMed:22359583
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match8468
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- pKa: 4.51 (at 25 °C) Source: DrugBank
- LogP: 1.43 Source: DrugBank
- LogP: 1.43 Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Melting Point: 211.5 °C Source: DrugBank
- Melting Point: 211.5 °C Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Physical Description: White odorless solid; [Merck Index] White to beige powder; [Acros Organics MSDS] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: Solid Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Physical Description: White to beige powder or needle; vanilla like odour Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Solubility: 1500 mg/L (at 14 °C) Source: DrugBank
- Solubility: 1.5 mg/mL at 14 °C Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Solubility: slightly soluble in water; soluble in organic solvents Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Solubility: soluble (in ethanol) Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.0000171 [mmHg] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 72.4% (97 of 134) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (27.6%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319 (27.6%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (26.9%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 134 reports by companies from 8 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 97 of 134 reports by companies.; There are 7 notifications provided by 37 of 134 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Sources/Uses: Used as flavoring agent or adjuvant; [FDA] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.