Carboxylic Acids

Butyric acid, also known as n-butanoic acid, is a short-chain volatile fatty acid with the chemical formula C₄H₈O₂. It is a colorless, oily liquid with an unpleasant, rancid odor that is missible with water and most organic solvents.

Mandelic acid, also known as α-hydroxyphenylacetic acid or phenylglycolic acid, is an aromatic alpha-hydroxy acid with the chemical formula C₈H₈O₃. It is a white crystalline powder with a faint sweet odor.

Gallic acid, also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, is a hydroxyaromatic acid with the chemical formula C₇H₆O₅. It is a white solid but often appears brown due to oxidation that is soluble in alcohol and polar solvents. It was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1786.

Malic acid, also known as hydroxysuccinic acid or hydroxybutanedioic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₄H₆O₅. It is a naturally occurring organic compound characterized by a tart taste.

Acetonedicarboxylic acid, also known as 3-oxoglutaric acid, 3-oxopentane dicarboxylic acid, or β-ketoglutaric acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the formula C₅H₆O₅. It is a crystalline solid that is soluble in water and alcohol.

Levulinic acid, also known as 4-oxopentanoic acid or γ-ketovaleric acid, is the simplest and most important γ-oxocarboxylic acid with the formula C₅H₈O₃. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and polar organic solvents.

Pyruvic acid, also known as 2-oxopropanoic acid, pyroracemic acid, or α-ketopropionic acid, is an important α-oxocarboxylic acid with the formula C₃H₄O₃. It is a colorless liquid with an odor similar to that of acetic acid that plays an important role in energy metabolism in living organisms.

Succinic acid, also known as butanedioic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₄H₆O₄. It is a colorless crystalline solid that is found in amber, in numerous plants (e.g., algae, lichens, rhubarb, and tomatoes), and in many lignites.

Fumaric acid, also known as trans-butenedioic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the formula C₄H₄O₄. It is widely found in nature and appears as a white, crystalline solid with a fruit-like taste.

Maleic acid, also known as cis-butenedioic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the formula C₄H₄O₄. It appears as a colorless, crystalline solid with a faint odor.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, better known as EDTA, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈. It is a white solid that is insoluble in water and is one of the most commonly used chelating agents in diverse industries.

Thioglycolic acid, also known as mercaptoacetic acid, is the simplest and industrially most important mercaptocarboxylic acid with the formula HSCH₂COOH. It is a colorless liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor.