What is the Difference Between Aliphatic and Aromatic Carboxylic Acid?

The main difference between aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids lies in their structure and aromaticity.

1. Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids:

• Have a linear or branched chain as their core structure.
• Do not contain any carbon-carbon double or triple bonds.
• Can be either saturated or unsaturated.
• Tend to be more soluble in water.

1. Aromatic Carboxylic Acids:

• Contain a benzene ring as part of their molecular structure.
• Have alternating single and double bonds in their cyclic structure.
• Exhibit resonance stabilization due to the aromatic ring.
• Tend to be less soluble in water compared to aliphatic carboxylic acids.

Aromatic carboxylic acids are generally more acidic than aliphatic carboxylic acids due to the formation of stronger hydrogen bonds between molecules caused by the aromatic ring. In water, an aromatic carboxylic acid such as benzoic acid is more acidic than an aliphatic carboxylic acid like acetic acid.

Comparative Table: Aliphatic vs Aromatic Carboxylic Acid

The main difference between aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids lies in their structures and molecular properties. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Aliphatic carboxylic acids have a linear structure and do not contain any carbon-carbon double or triple bonds. They can be either saturated or unsaturated. On the other hand, aromatic carboxylic acids have a cyclic structure with alternating double and single bonds. Aromatic compounds exhibit resonance stabilization due to their conjugated pi-electron system, which is absent in aliphatic compounds. As a result, aromatic carboxylic acids are generally less soluble in water compared to aliphatic carboxylic acids.