shellac

Also known as shellac varnish, shell-lacca

Chemical data

Formula: C30H50O11
Molecular weight: 586.7 g/mol
IUPAC name: (2R,6S,7R,10S)-10-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyltricyclo[5.3.1.01,5]undec-8-ene-2,8-dicarboxylic acid;9,10,15-trihydroxypentadecanoic acid
SMILES: C[C@]1([C@H]2CC3(C1CC[C@H]3C(=O)O)[C@H](C=C2C(=O)O)O)CO.C(CCCC(C(CCCCCO)O)O)CCCC(=O)O
InChIKey: ZLGIYFNHBLSMPS-ATJNOEHPSA-N
Polar surface area: 213 Å²
H-bond donors: 8
H-bond acceptors: 11
Formal charge: 0

via PubChem

Wikidata facts

Mass: 586.335312
Image: Schellak.jpg

Show 5 more facts

Commons category: Shellac
chemical formula: C₃₀H₅₀O₁₁
canonical SMILES: CC1(C2CCC(C23CC1C(=CC3O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O)CO.C(CCCC(C(CCCCCO)O)O)CCCC(=O)O
isomeric SMILES: C[C@]1([C@H]2CC3(C1CC[C@H]3C(=O)O)[C@H](C=C2C(=O)O)O)CO.C(CCCC(C(CCCCCO)O)O)CCCC(=O)O
MCN code: 1301.90.10

Sources (3)

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~21 min read

Article

14 sections

Contents

Etymology
Production
Colours and availability
Properties
History
Uses
Historical
Current uses
Wood finish
Other
Gallery
See also
References
External links

Shellac () is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. Chemically, it is mainly composed of aleuritic acid, jalaric acid, shellolic acid, and other natural waxes. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odor-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. Shellac was once used in electrical applications as it is a good insulator and seals out moisture. Phonograph and 78 rpm gramophone records were made of shellac until it was replaced by vinyl.