Dicarboxylic acid

A dicarboxylic acid is an organic compound containing two carboxyl functional groups (-COOH). The general molecular formula for dicarboxylic acids can be written as HO₂C-R-CO₂H, where R can be aliphatic or aromatic. In general, dicarboxylic acids show similar chemical behavior and reactivity to monocarboxylic acids. Dicarboxylic acids are also used in the preparation of copolymers such as polyamides and polyesters. The most widely used dicarboxylic acid in the industry is adipic acid, which is a precursor used in the production of nylon. Other examples of dicarboxylic acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid, two amino acids in the human body.

Linear saturated dicarboxylic acids

General formula HO₂C(CH₂)_nCO₂H. The PubChem link gives access to a wealth of information on the compound.

Many linear dicarboxylic acids with the formula HOOC-(CH₂)_n-COOH are found in nature. They are also known as α,ω- dicarboxylic acids, meaning that the two carboxylate groups are at the two ends of the aliphatic chain of methylene groups. A mnemonic for the first nine is Oh My Such Good Apple Pie, Soup And Syrup. The long-chain members are classed as lipids.