CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

MIN CHANG PARK & ALEX TARIN

CITRIC ACID OR
2-HYDROXYPROPANE-1,2,3-TRICARBOXYLIC ACID
Citric acid is a weak organic acid with the
formula C6H8O7. It is a natural
preservative/conservative and is also used to
add an acidic or sour taste to foods and drinks.
In biochemistry, the conjugate base of citric
acid, citrate, is important as an intermediate
in the citric acid cycle, which occurs in the
metabolism of all aerobic organisms. It consists
of 3 carboxyl (R-COOH) groups.
Citric acid is a commodity chemical, and
more than a million tonnes are produced
every year by fermentation.
It is used mainly as an acidifier, as a flavoring,
and as a chelating agent.


LACTIC ACID OR 2-HYDROXYPROPANOIC ACID
Lactic acid is a chemical compound that plays a role in
various biochemical processes. Lactic acid is a carboxylic
acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3. Lactic acid is
miscible with water and with ethanol.
In animals, L-lactate is constantly produced from pyruvate
via the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a process of
fermentation during normal metabolism and exercise.
The concentration of blood lactate is usually 12 mmol/L at
rest, but can rise to over 20 mmol/L during intense exertion.
In industry, lactic acid fermentation is performed by lactic
acid bacteria, which convert glucose and sucrose to lactic
acid. These bacteria can also grow in the mouth; the acid
they produce is responsible for the tooth decay known as
caries.
In medicine, lactate is one of the main components of
lactated Ringer's solution and Hartmann's solution. These
intravenous fluids consist of sodium and potassium cations
along with lactate and chloride anions in solution with
distilled water, generally in concentrations isotonic with
human blood. It is most commonly used for fluid resuscitation
after blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or burn injury.


ARACHIDIC ACID
Arachidic acid, also called eicosanoic acid, is the saturated fatty
acid with a 20-carbon chain. It is as a minor constituent of
peanut oil (1.1%1.7%)[2] and corn oil (3%).[3] Its name derives
from the Latin arachis peanut. It can be formed by the
hydrogenation of arachidonic acid.

Reduction of arachidic acid yields arachidyl alcohol.

Arachidic acid is used for the production of detergents,
photographic materials and lubricants.
ICOSANOIC ACID
STEARIC ACID
Stearic acid (stair-ik or steer-ik) is the saturated fatty acid with an
18-carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid. It
is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)16CO2H. Its
name comes from the Greek word "star", which means
tallow. The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates.
Stearic acid is one of the most common saturated fatty acids
found in nature following palmitic acid.

OCTADECANOIC ACID
PRODUCTION
It occurs in many animal and vegetable fats and oils, but it is
more abundant in animal fat (up to 30%) than vegetable fat
(typically <5%). The important exceptions are cocoa butter and
shea butter, where the stearic acid content (as a triglyceride) is
2845%.
PRODUCTION
Stearic acid is prepared by treating these fats and oils with water
at a high pressure and temperature (above 200 C), leading to
the hydrolysis of triglycerides. The resulting mixture is then
distilled.[4] Commercial stearic acid is often a mixture of stearic
and palmitic acids, although purified stearic acid is available.

In terms of its biosynthesis, stearic acid is produced from
carbohydrates via the fatty acid synthesis machinery via acetyl-
CoA.
USES
In general, applications of stearic acid exploit its bifunctional
character, with a polar head group that can be attached to
metal cations and a nonpolar chain that confers solubility in
organic solvents. The combination leads to uses as a surfactant
and softening agent. Stearic acid undergoes the typical
reactions of saturated carboxylic acids, a notable one being
reduction to stearyl alcohol, and esterification with a range of
alcohols.
SOAPS, COSMETICS AND DETERGENTS
Stearic acid is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps,
and cosmetics such as shampoos and shaving cream products.
Soaps are not made directly from stearic acid, but indirectly by
saponification of triglycerides consisting of stearic acid esters.
Esters of stearic acid with ethylene glycol; glycol stearate and
glycol distearate, are used to produce a pearly effect in
shampoos, soaps, and other cosmetic products. They are added
to the product in molten form and allowed to crystallize under
controlled conditions. Detergents are obtained from amides and
quaternary alkylammonium derivatives of stearic acid.
LUBRICANTS, SOFTENING AND
RELEASE AGENTS
In view of the soft texture of the sodium salt, which is the main
component of soap, other salts are also useful for their lubricating
properties. Lithium stearate is an important component of grease.
The stearate salts of zinc, calcium, cadmium, and lead are used
to soften PVC. Stearic acid is used along with castor oil for
preparing softeners in textile sizing. They are heated and mixed
with caustic potash or caustic soda. Related salts are also
commonly used as release agents, e.g. in the production of
automobile tires.