What is "pimelic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) A dicarboxylic acid, HO₂C(CH₂)₅CO₂H, whose derivatives are involved in the biosynthesis of lysine.

Pimelic acid is the organic compound with the formula HOC(CH)COH. Derivatives of pimelic acid are involved in the biosynthesis of the amino acid called lysine. Pimelic acid is one unit longer than a related dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, a precursor to many polyesters and polyamides. It is the final member of the mnemonic used to aid recollection of the order of the first six dicarboxylic acids using their common (not IUPAC) nomenclature: Dicarboxylic acid