Adipic acid

Adipic acid or hexanedioic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H10O4. It is a white crystalline powder at standard temperature and pressure. From an industrial perspective, it is the most important dicarboxylic acid at about 2.5 million tons produced annually, mainly as a precursor for the production of nylon. Adipic acid otherwise rarely occurs in nature, but it is known as manufactured E number food additive E355. Salts and esters of adipic acid are known as adipates.