Dicarboxylic Acids: Names, Molecular Formulae and Structural Formulae
| S. No. | Common Name | IUPAC Name | Molecular Formula | Structural Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxalic acid | Ethanedioic acid | C₂H₂O₄ | HOOC–COOH |
| 2 | Malonic acid | Propanedioic acid | C₃H₄O₄ | HOOC–CH₂–COOH |
| 3 | Succinic acid | Butanedioic acid | C₄H₆O₄ | HOOC–(CH₂)₂–COOH |
| 4 | Glutaric acid | Pentanedioic acid | C₅H₈O₄ | HOOC–(CH₂)₃–COOH |
| 5 | Adipic acid | Hexanedioic acid | C₆H₁₀O₄ | HOOC–(CH₂)₄–COOH |
| 6 | Maleic acid | (Z)-But-2-enedioic acid | C₄H₄O₄ | cis-HOOC–CH=CH–COOH |
| 7 | Fumaric acid | (E)-But-2-enedioic acid | C₄H₄O₄ | trans-HOOC–CH=CH–COOH |
| 8 | Tartaric acid | 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid | C₄H₆O₆ | HOOC–CH(OH)–CH(OH)–COOH |
Key points for students
- Dicarboxylic acids contain two carboxyl groups (–COOH).
- Maleic acid is the cis-isomer, whereas fumaric acid is the trans-isomer.
- Tartaric acid contains two carboxyl groups (–COOH) and two hydroxyl groups (–OH).
