What is the Difference Between Carboxylic Acid and Alcohol?

Carboxylic acids and alcohols are two types of organic compounds that differ in their structure, properties, and reactivity. Here are the main differences between them:

1. Structure: Carboxylic acids have a carboxyl group (−COOH), while alcohols have a hydroxyl group (−OH). Carboxylic acids are more acidic than alcohols because they can form dimers between their molecules, which stabilizes the anion formed when the carboxylic acid donates a proton.
2. Acidity: Carboxylic acids are generally more acidic than alcohols. This is because the carboxyl group can engage in hydrogen bonding with water molecules, while the hydroxyl group in alcohols does not exhibit such strong hydrogen bonding.
3. Reactivity: Carboxylic acids can react with sodium bicarbonate to produce a brisk effervescence, while alcohols do not produce anything when reacted with sodium bicarbonate. Carboxylic acids can also be oxidized to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids, while primary alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids. Secondary alcohols, on the other hand, can be oxidized to ketones.
4. Solubility: Carboxylic acids and alcohols with one to four carbon atoms are soluble in water, but solubility decreases as the carbon chain length increases. Carboxylic acids are often soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, toluene, and diethyl ether.
5. Boiling and Melting Points: Carboxylic acids generally have higher boiling and melting points compared to alcohols due to their stronger hydrogen bonding.

Comparative Table: Carboxylic Acid vs Alcohol

Carboxylic acids and alcohols are two types of organic compounds that differ in their structure and properties. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between them:

Carboxylic acids have a carbonyl group (C=O) with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached, resulting in the COOH functional group. On the other hand, alcohols have a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to a hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon. Carboxylic acids are acidic due to the presence of the COOH group, while alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes or ketones and may or may not be acidic or basic, depending on the compound.