A chemical compound containing two gallate groups, used in organic chemistry and biochemistry.
From di- (two) + gallate (a salt derived from gallic acid). Gallic acid comes from gall-nuts, bumps on oak trees. The term emerged in 19th-century chemistry as scientists identified compounds with double chemical structures.
Gallate compounds come from tiny oak galls—lumps created by parasitic wasps—which medieval scholars used to make black ink for important documents. Modern chemists discovered these ink ingredients had powerful antioxidant properties useful in medicines.
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