Cinchomeronic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula . The acid was initially isolated by Hugo Weidel in 1868. The compound is one of six isomers of pyridinedicarboxylic acid that are dicarboxylic derivatives of pyridine.
Cinchomeronic acid is obtained as a degradation product of various Cinchona alkaloids. For example, it is obtained from quinine, cinchonidine, cinchonine, and apoquinine using nitric acid or by oxidation of ò-collidine, lepidine, or isoquinoline.
Cinchomeric acid can also be prepared by oxidation of isoquinoline with potassium permanganate.
The acid forms white to pale yellow crystalline compound derived from Cinchona alkaloids. It demonstrates low solubility in water, but is more soluble in organic solvents.
It exhibits dimorphism. A conventional orthorhombic structure (called "Form I") and a newly found primitive monoclinic structure ("Form II", space group P2<sub>1</sub>/c) exist.
It is utilized as a precursor in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds and as a ligand in coordination chemistry.