Caperatic acid

Caperatic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound classified as a microbial metabolite. The compound has been reported in certain actinobacteria through fermentation and has also been identified in lichens.

Caperatic acid
Structural formula of caperatic acid
Structure of caperatic acid
Names
IUPAC name
2-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3-tetradecylbutanedioic acid
Preferred IUPAC name
Caperatic acid
Systematic IUPAC name
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-heptadecanetricarboxylic acid monomethyl ester
Other names
  • 5-Methyl hydrogen 3-C-carboxy-2,4-dideoxy-2-tetradecylpentarate
  • 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-heptadecanetricarboxylic acid 1-methyl ester
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
  • InChI=1S/C21H38O7/c1-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-17(19(23)24)21(27,20(25)26)16-18(22)28-2/h17,27H,3-16H2,1-2H3,(H,23,24)(H,25,26)
    Key: HMJJWFFZRCLIDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(C(=O)O)C(CC(=O)OC)(C(=O)O)O
Properties
C21H38O7
Molar mass 402.528 g·mol−1
Melting point 132–133.5 °C (269.6–272.3 °F; 405.1–406.6 K)
Boiling point 549.3 °C (1,020.7 °F; 822.4 K) (predicted)
1.017 mg/L (predicted)
log P 5.7
Structure
Flexible chain with carboxyl groups
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
No significant hazards identified
Flash point 180 °C (estimated)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Other lichen-derived depsides and acids
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Properties

Caperatic acid is a crystalline organic compound. Computational models predict a boiling point of 549.3 ± 50 °C, but the compound is expected to decompose before reaching this temperature under laboratory conditions. The predicted density is 1.10 g/cm³.

Occurrence

Scientists have identified caperatic acid in lichens, particularly Platismatia glauca, which grows across Europe and North America.

References

  1. ↑ "Caperatic acid (CHEBI:144132)". ChEBI. EMBL-EBI. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Caperatic acid". ChemSpider. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Ren, M.; Jiang, S.J.S.; Wang, Y.; Pan, X.P.; Pan, F.F.; Wei, X. (2023). "Discovery and excavation of lichen bioactive natural products". Frontiers in Microbiology. 14 1177123: 112345. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1177123. PMC 10149937. PMID 37138611.