terephthalic acid
noun
tere·phthal·ic acid
ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-lik- 
: a p-dicarboxylic acid C8H6O4 that is obtained especially by oxidation of xylene and is used chiefly in the synthesis of polyesters
Examples of terephthalic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The report finds that purified terephthalic acid production and monoethylene glycol, used to polymerize polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, are the biggest contributors across nearly all environmental impact categories.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
The process is both fast and efficient, recovering 94% of the possible terephthalic acid (TPA) within just four hours.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
In something akin to a pressure cooker, the startup uses solvents, heat, and water whose pH has been raised to quickly liquify the polyester and break it into monomers—its basic components—of terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene glycol (EG).
—
Ian Mount,
Fortune,
16 Aug. 2022
The new material was durable and wrinkle resistant and easily made by combining ethylene glycol (the main ingredient in antifreeze) with terephthalic acid and then melting them together.
—
Harris Quinn,
Wired,
28 Dec. 2021
The organism produced two enzymes that together enabled it to feed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by breaking it into its building blocks, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.
—
Warren Cornwall,
Science | AAAS,
1 July 2021
Previous studies found enzymes could break down plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalic acid (TA).
—
Elizabeth Gamillo,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2021
The researchers behind its discovery showed that the enzyme degrades PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalic acid (MHET).
—
The Economist,
16 Apr. 2018
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Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
The process is both fast and efficient, recovering 94% of the possible terephthalic acid (TPA) within just four hours.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
In something akin to a pressure cooker, the startup uses solvents, heat, and water whose pH has been raised to quickly liquify the polyester and break it into monomers—its basic components—of terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene glycol (EG).
—
Ian Mount,
Fortune,
16 Aug. 2022
The new material was durable and wrinkle resistant and easily made by combining ethylene glycol (the main ingredient in antifreeze) with terephthalic acid and then melting them together.
—
Harris Quinn,
Wired,
28 Dec. 2021
The organism produced two enzymes that together enabled it to feed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by breaking it into its building blocks, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.
—
Warren Cornwall,
Science | AAAS,
1 July 2021
Previous studies found enzymes could break down plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalic acid (TA).
—
Elizabeth Gamillo,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2021
The researchers behind its discovery showed that the enzyme degrades PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalic acid (MHET).
—
The Economist,
16 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Terephthalic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terephthalic%20acid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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