E355 (Adipic Acid) is an organic chemical compound, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with six carbon atoms. The synthesis of adipic acid generates nitrous oxide and benzene, a known carcinogen. This commercially important acid can be obtained from the oxidation of nitric acid, from lipids, and from intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

It appears as a white, odourless, sour-tasting crystalline powder soluble in acetone alcohol and water.

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient on the European food additives list as E355, acidity regulator, gelling agent.

Cosmetics

Buffering agent. It is an iingredient that can bring an alkaline or acid solution to a certain pH level and prevent it from changing, in practice a pH stabiliser that can effectively resist instability and pH change.

Fragrance. It plays a decisive and important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability.  The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Cosmetic safety

On contact with the skin, adipic acid can undergo oxidation and release protons that can cause the reduction of epithelial tissue proteins, resulting in skin irritation (1).

Other uses

It has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate the need for fossil fuel precursors.

Key monomer essential in the synthesis of nylon, plasticisers, polyurethane, polyester and other industrial products.

• Molecular Formula  C₆H₁₀O₄        HOOC(CH₂)₄COOH
• Molecular Weight      146.14
• CAS  124-04-9
• UNII    76A0JE0FKJ
• EC Number   204-673-3
• DSSTox ID  7021605
• IUPAC  hexanedioic acid
• InChl=1S/C6H10O4/c7-5(8)3-1-2-4-6(9)10/h1-4H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)
• InChl Key      WNLRTRBMVRJNCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES  C(CCC(=O)O)CC(=O)O
• MDL number  MFCD00004420
• PubChem Substance ID    57653836
• ChEBI  30832
• eCl@ss    39021711
• RTECS  AU8400000
• NCI    C76697
• ICSC    0369
• NSC      760121    7622
• UN    3077
• NACRES    NA.21
• FEMA    2011
• Metabolomics Workbench    1970
• RXCUI    17050
• Beilstein    1209788

Synonyms:

• 1,6-Hexanedioic acid
• Adilactetten
• 1,4-Butanedicarboxylic acid

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Luttrell, W. E., & Klaassen, G. R. (2016). Adipic acid. Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, 23(4), 44-46.