Difference of properties between butyric acid and butyraldehyde

In the chemical industry, butyric acid and butyraldehyde are two compounds that are often discussed, and there are significant differences in their structures, properties and applications. Understanding their differences helps to select the appropriate materials and process conditions in chemical production, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.

1. basic definition and structure

Butyric acid and butyraldehyde are both carbohydrates, but their structures and properties are different.

• Butyric acid (succinic acid): chemical formula C4H6O2, is a dicarboxylic acid, structural formula is CH2CH2COOH. It has two carboxylic acid groups and can undergo a variety of chemical reactions, such as esterification, transesterification, etc.

• Butyraldehyde (succinaldehyde): chemical formula C4H8O, is a kind of aldehyde compounds, structural formula is CH2CH2CHO. It has aldehyde functional groups and is capable of participating in redox reactions and addition reactions.

2. physical properties

Although both are organic compounds, there are significant differences in their physical properties.

• Density: The density of butyric acid is about 1.004g/cm³, while that of butyraldehyde is about 1.053g/cm³. Butyraldehyde is denser at the same temperature, which may affect its separation and purification process in production.

• Boiling point: Butyric acid has a boiling point of 180.2°C, while butyraldehyde has a boiling point of about 145°C. Butyric acid has a higher boiling point and may be used as a solvent in some reactions, while butyraldehyde is often used in lower temperature experimental conditions.

• Solubility: Butyric acid is soluble in water, but its solubility in organic solvents is low; butyraldehyde has low solubility in water, but it has high solubility in organic solvents, especially in hydrocarbon solvents.

3. chemical properties

Chemistry is one of the biggest differences between the two.

• Acidity: Butyric acid is a strong acid, can be neutralized with alkali salts, etc.; butyraldehyde is a weak acid, its acidity is far weaker than butyric acid.

• Reactivity: The carboxylic acid group of butyric acid is more active than the aldehyde group of butyraldehyde, and it is easier to participate in the redox reaction. Butyraldehyde generally functions as a reducing agent in catalytic reactions, such as in carbonyl reduction reactions.

• Stability: Butyric acid is easy to decompose at high temperature, while butyraldehyde is relatively stable, but it may also be oxidized under strong oxidizing conditions.

4. application field

• Application of butyric acid: Butyric acid is widely used in organic synthesis, especially as an acid catalyst and raw material for esterification reactions. For example, in the production of ester compounds, butyric acid can be used as a catalyst to accelerate the progress of the reaction.

• Application of butyraldehyde: butyraldehyde is commonly used in the preparation of aldehyde compounds, such as methanol, acetaldehyde, etc. In the preparation of carbonyl compounds, butyraldehyde generally acts as a reducing agent and participates in the reduction of the carbonyl group.

5. summary: butyric acid and butyraldehyde difference

There are significant differences in structure, physical properties and chemical properties between butyric acid and butyraldehyde. Butyric acid is a strong acid with a high boiling point and is suitable for use as an acid catalyst, while butyraldehyde is a weak acid with a low boiling point and is commonly used in the preparation of aldehyde compounds. Understanding their differences helps to select the right raw materials and process conditions in chemical production, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.