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Benzoic Acid – Definition and Chemical Properties

Introduction to Benzoic Acid

Benzoic acid refers to a colourless, crystalline solid. It is also a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. This acid has various chemical properties.

This acid happens to be an inorganic compound. Students can learn more about this acid and its chemical properties here.

benzoic acid

What is Benzoic Acid?

Benzoic acid is a crystalline white substance. Furthermore, its chemical classification is an as aromatic carboxylic acid. Also, the molecular formula of this acid is C7H6O2. Moreover, it is an organic compound. The acid comprises a benzene ring core. This core carries a carboxylic acid substituent.

This acid is certainly a nitrogen binding agent. Its mechanism of action comprises of ammonium ion binding activity. Also, this acid is slightly soluble in water.

Molecular Structure of Benzoic Acid

Benzoic acid has the simplest molecular structure among the aromatic carboxylic acids. In this acid, there is a direct attachment of a single carboxyl group to a carbon atom of a benzene ring.

The benzene molecule comprises an aromatic ring of six carbon atoms. Also, there is the attachment of a hydrogen atom to each carbon atom.

The COOH group in the benzoic acid molecule replaces one of the H atoms. Also, this takes place on the aromatic ring.

To indicate this, a modification takes place in the molecular formula of benzoic acid. Therefore, due to this modification, the molecular formula is written as C6H5COOH.

The chemical properties of this acid are based on this molecular structure. Above all, the reactions of this acid can involve modification of the aromatic ring or the carboxyl group.

Salt Formation with Benzoic Acid

The carboxyl group is the acidic portion of this acid. Furthermore, this acidic portion reacts with a base to result in the formation of a salt.

An example can be that it reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to result in sodium benzoate. Moreover, sodium benzoate is an ionic compound. Most noteworthy, both sodium benzoate and this acid serve as food preservatives.

Production of Esters

Benzoic acid can produce esters after reacting with alcohol. For example, the acid forms ethyl benzoate after reacting with ethyl alcohol.

Furthermore, ethyl benzoate is an ester. There are esters of the acid which are certainly plasticizers.

Production of an Acid Halide

Benzoic acid reacts with phosphorus pentachloride or thionyl chloride to form benzoyl chloride. The classification of benzoyl chloride is as an acid halide.

Furthermore, benzyl chloride is very reactive and is useful in the formation of other products. For example, benzyl chloride reacts with methylamine or ammonia to form an amide.

Sulfonation with Benzoic Acid

This acid reacts with sulphuric acid to result in the sulfonation of the aromatic ring. Here a functional group SO3H replaces an atom of hydrogen on the aromatic ring. The product is mostly meta-sulfobenzoic acid.

The prefix “meta” indicates that there is an attachment of the functional group with the third carbon atom. This is relative to the point of attachment of the carboxyl group.

Solved Question For You

Q1. Which of the following is not a chemical property of benzoic acid?

A. Production of Esters
B. Production of an Acid Halide
C. Formation of an organic substance
D. Sulfonation

A1. The correct answer is option C. which is the formation of an organic substance. This is because; benzoic acid does not result in the formation of an organic substance.

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