My watch list

Carminic acid

Carminic acid^[1]

IUPAC name	7-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro- 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10- dioxoanthracenecarboxylic acid
Other names	Carminic acid C.I. Natural Red 4 C.I. 75470
Identifiers
CAS number	1260-17-9
SMILES	Cc1c(C(O)=O)c(O)cc2C(=O)c3c(O)c (O)c([C@H]4O[C@H](CO)[C@@H](O) [C@H](O)[C@H]4O)c(O)c3C(=O)c12
Properties
Molecular formula	C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃
Molar mass	492.38 g/mol
Density	? g/cm³
Melting point	120 °C (decomp.)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Carminic acid (C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃) is a red glucosidal hydroxyanthapurin that occurs naturally in some scale insects, such as the cochineal and the Polish cochineal. The insects produce the acid as a feeding deterrent. Carminic acid is the colouring agent in carmine. Synonyms are C.I. 75470 and C.I. Natural Red 4.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

How to quickly check pipettes?

The chemical structure of carminic acid consists of a core anthraquinone structure linked to a glucose sugar unit. Carminic acid was first synthesized by organic chemists in 1991.^[2]

References

^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 1850.
^ Allevi, P. et al. 1991. The 1st Total Synthesis of Carminic Acid. Journal of the Chemical Society-Chemical Communications 18:1319-1320.

Bond:	O-glycosidic bond \| S-glycosidic bond \| N-glycosidic bond
Geometry:	α-Glycoside \| β-Glycoside \| 1,4-Glycoside \| 1,6-Glycoside
Glycone:	Glucoside \| Fructoside \| Glucuronide
Aglycone:	Alcoholic glycoside \| Anthraquinone glycoside \| Coumarin glycoside \| Cyanogenic glycoside \| Flavonoid glycoside \| Phenolic glycoside \| Saponin \| Cardiac glycoside \| Steviol glycoside \| Thioglycoside \| Glycosylamine \| Bufanolide \| Cardenolide