What is "mandelic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) 2-phenyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid, C₆H₅CH(OH)COOH; originally extracted from bitter almonds, it has antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties.

Mandelic acid is an aromatic alpha hydroxy acid with the molecular formula CHCH(OH)COH. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It is a useful precursor to various drugs. The molecule is chiral. The racemic mixture is known as paramandelic acid.