What is the Difference Between Picric Acid and Benzoic Acid?

Picric acid and benzoic acid are both organic compounds, but they have different chemical structures and properties. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Chemical Structure: Picric acid has the chemical formula (O2N)3C6H2OH, while benzoic acid is the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid with the formula C6H5COOH.
2. Appearance: Picric acid is available as a yellow crystalline solid, whereas benzoic acid is available as a colorless crystalline solid.
3. Odor: Picric acid is odorless, while benzoic acid has a faint, pleasant odor.
4. Acidity: Picric acid is a stronger acid than benzoic acid due to the presence of three electron-withdrawing NO2 groups in its chemical structure. This increases the acidic character of picric acid compared to benzoic acid.

Both picric acid and benzoic acid are important in organic synthesis reactions and form aqueous solutions with a pH below 7.0.

Comparative Table: Picric Acid vs Benzoic Acid

Here is a table comparing the differences between picric acid and benzoic acid:

Picric acid is a more acidic compound than benzoic acid because it contains three nitro groups (NO2), which are electron-withdrawing. Both acids are used in organic synthesis reactions and form aqueous solutions with a pH below 7.0.