Synthesis intermediates
Mandelic acid is used as a defined starting material for other chemical products. [3] [4]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Mandelic Acid in 30 Seconds
The molecule combines a ring, a separate hydroxyl, and one acidic carboxyl group. The hydroxyl-bearing carbon is the point where its three-dimensional forms differ.
Mandelic acid has a hydroxyl-bearing carbon between a benzene ring and a carboxyl group. That carbon is chiral, so a DL product is a different stereochemical choice from an R or S product. [1] [3]
Condensed connectivity schematic; see the specified stereochemical identity below. [1]
Reaction research
The linked Sigma listing cites research on DL-mandelic-acid oxidation. [3] [4]
Formulation development
Mandelic acid is used in cosmetic formulation contexts. [3] [4]
Commercial availability
The supplier section separates package size, assay, grade, and market context for three named products. [4] [4]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Mandelic Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
The molecule combines a ring, a separate hydroxyl, and one acidic carboxyl group. The hydroxyl-bearing carbon is the point where its three-dimensional forms differ. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
Lactic acid has a methyl group where mandelic acid has a phenyl ring. Both have an alpha-hydroxyl, but the aromatic ring changes the structure and product identity. A high chemical assay does not establish enantiomeric purity. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
The selected products are DL-mandelic acid, CAS 90-64-2. R- and S-mandelic acid are separate stereochemical products. The connectivity drawing is not an enantiomer assignment. Numeric pKa is omitted because the reviewed record did not provide a verified value. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Mandelic Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Mandelic Acid vs Lactic Acid
Aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid
versusHydroxymonocarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Mandelic Acid | Lactic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₈H₈O₃ [1] | C₃H₆O₃ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 152.15 g/mol [1] | 90.08 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 8 [1] | 3 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 1 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Structure | C₆H₅–CH(OH)–COOH [1] | CH₃–CH(OH)–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid [1] | Hydroxymonocarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Solid · DL identity [1] | Commercial liquids / aqueous solutions [7] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied. The structure schematic does not encode stereochemistry.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Use mandelic acid when the procedure needs its aromatic alpha-hydroxy framework and specified stereochemistry. Use lactic acid for the methyl-bearing framework. In chiral work, a DL supply is insufficient when the method requires a single enantiomer. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Mandelic Acid
Match C₆H₅–CH(OH)–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Lactic Acid
Match CH₃–CH(OH)–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Mandelic Acid Used For?
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Mandelic Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Specify DL, R, or S form and optical-purity requirements separately from chemical assay.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichMandelic Acid | For synthesis · DL form8069130250 | ≥99.0% (acidimetric) | 250 g | $63.60USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 8069130250 (opens new tab) | |
| For synthesis · DL form8069131000 | ≥99.0% (acidimetric) | 1 kg | $195.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 8069131000 (opens new tab) | |||
| TCIMandelic Acid | Check supplierM0038DL form · CAS 90-64-2 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 25 g | $33.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, M0038 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierM0038DL form · CAS 90-64-2 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 500 g | $89.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: TCI, M0038 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoMandelic Acid | Wako Special Grade · DL form013-03612 | ≥99.0% (titration) | 25 g | ¥4,400JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded) | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDS PDF · Japan/JIS English (opens new tab)COOCheck supplier Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 013-03612 (opens new tab) | |
| Wako Special Grade · DL form017-03615 | ≥99.0% (titration) | 500 g | ¥21,800JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded) | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 017-03615 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Mandelic Acid
For synthesis · DL form
250 g
8069130250- Public price
- $63.60USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
1 kg
8069131000- Public price
- $195.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Mandelic Acid
Check supplier
DL form · CAS 90-64-2
25 g
M0038- Public price
- $33.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
M0038- Public price
- $89.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Mandelic Acid
Wako Special Grade · DL form
25 g
013-03612- Public price
- ¥4,400JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded)
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
500 g
017-03615- Public price
- ¥21,800JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded)
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDS PDF · Japan/JIS English (opens new tab)COOCheck supplier
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- The linked Japan/JIS English SDS covers the displayed product codes. Confirm the current local version.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
Numeric pKa remains unverified. The supplier set describes DL material; single-enantiomer sourcing requires a separate review. Japan pricing is not normalized against US prices.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Mandelic Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Mandelic Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Mandelic Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 90-64-2
- Identity focus
- Solid · DL identity
- Formula
- C₈H₈O₃
- Molecular weight
- 152.15 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C(=O)O)O
- PubChem CID
- 1292
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
Sigma lists crystals with melting range 119–121 °C and water solubility 139 g/L without a displayed temperature. This is a product reference, not a validated formulation limit. [4] [5] [6]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
A numeric pKa was not verified for the selected identity in this review; no value is inferred. [2]
Numeric pKa remains unverified. The supplier set describes DL material; single-enantiomer sourcing requires a separate review. Japan pricing is not normalized against US prices.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety Product-specific SDS
Review the current SDS for the exact product.
Match chemical form, concentration, region, and product code. Use its handling, storage, incompatibility, first-aid and disposal guidance alongside the workplace risk assessment.
A verified Japan/JIS English SDS is linked separately under supplier documentation; confirm the applicable local version. This profile is not a substitute for that document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Mandelic Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Mandelic Acid?
The molecule combines a ring, a separate hydroxyl, and one acidic carboxyl group. The hydroxyl-bearing carbon is the point where its three-dimensional forms differ. [1]
How does it differ from Lactic Acid?
Mandelic acid adds an aromatic phenyl group where lactic acid has a methyl group. The shared alpha-hydroxy-acid motif does not make either a substitute reagent or establish equivalent formulation behavior. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Specify DL, R, or S form and optical-purity requirements separately from chemical assay. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
Numeric pKa remains unverified. The supplier set describes DL material; single-enantiomer sourcing requires a separate review. Japan pricing is not normalized against US prices. [6]
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier. [4]
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · dissociation references (opens new tab)
No usable numeric entry was retrieved for this selected identity; numeric pKa is deliberately omitted.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Benzoic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Salicylic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Malic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
Review limits
Numeric pKa remains unverified. The supplier set describes DL material; single-enantiomer sourcing requires a separate review. Japan pricing is not normalized against US prices.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.