The difference between acrylic acid and propionic acid

In the chemical industry, acrylic acid and propionic acid are two common organic compounds that are often confused or misused. Although they have some similarities in molecular structure, there are significant differences in many aspects. In this paper, the differences between acrylic acid and propionic acid will be analyzed in detail from the aspects of definition, structure, physical properties, use and industrial application, and their application in actual production will be discussed.

1. acrylic acid and propionic acid basic definitions

Acrylic acid and propionic acid are derivatives of propylene as a precursor for chemical synthesis, but there are obvious differences in structure.

1. Definition of acrylic Acrylic acid (acrylic acid) is a dicarboxylic acid, chemical formula CH₂ = CHCOOH. It is obtained by removing a methoxy group (-OCH) from propylene (CH₂ = CHCH). Acrylic acid is an organic compound with a double bond. The molecule contains a carboxylic acid group (COOH) and a double bond (CH₂ = CH-).

2. Definition of propionic acid Propionic acid (acetic acid) is a monocarboxylic acid, chemical formula CH-COOH. It is obtained from propylene by removing a hydroxyl group (-OH). Propionic acid is a colorless transparent liquid, the molecule contains only one carboxylic acid group (COOH), no double bond.

As can be seen from the definitions, acrylic acid and propionic acid differ significantly in molecular structure. Acrylic acid contains double bonds and carboxylic acid groups, while propionic acid contains only carboxylic acid groups.

2. acrylic acid and propionic acid structure comparison

1. molecular structure The molecular structure of acrylic acid is CH₂ = CHCOOH, where the CH₂ = CH-moiety is a double bond and COOH is a carboxylic acid group. The molecular structure of propionic acid is CH� connected to COOH group without double bond.

2. Chemical properties Acrylic acid has good carbon-carbon double bond reactivity due to its double bond, and is commonly used in polymerization and addition reactions. Propionic acid is a weak acid carboxylic acid, its chemical properties are relatively stable, often used in the preparation of other chemicals.

3. Physical Properties Acrylic acid has a higher solubility and a higher melting point, while propionic acid has a lower solubility and a lower melting point.

3. acrylic acid and propionic acid use analysis

1. Application of acrylic acid Acrylic acid is an important chemical raw material, widely used in the production of plastics, rubber, coatings and cosmetics. It can generate polyacrylic acid polymer through hydrolysis reaction, which is used to manufacture various plastic products. Acrylic acid is also used to produce ethyl acrylate and acrylate compounds, which have a wide range of applications in medicine, food and industry.

2. Application of Propionic Acid Propionic acid itself is an acid, mainly used in the preparation of other chemicals. For example, propionic acid can be dehydrogenated to produce propylene, which is widely used in the production of polypropylene. Propionic acid is also used in the preparation of fragrances, flavorings and pharmaceutical intermediates.

As can be seen from the use, the use of acrylic and acrylic is different. Acrylic acid is mainly used in the manufacture of plastics, rubber and other polymeric materials, while propionic acid is mainly used in the preparation of acidic substances and pharmaceutical products.

4. acrylic acid and propionic acid in industrial application differences

1. industrial production process In industrial production, the production process of acrylic acid and propionic acid is different. The production of acrylic acid usually needs to be obtained by removing the methoxy group from propylene, while the production of propionic acid needs to be obtained by removing a hydroxyl group from propylene. Therefore, the production process of acrylic acid is more complicated than that of propionic acid.

2. Market Application Areas The market application of acrylic acid is more extensive, including plastics, rubber, coatings, cosmetics, etc. Propionic acid is mainly used for the preparation of acidic substances and pharmaceutical products, the market application is relatively limited.

3. Environmental performance Acrylic acid has high stability in industrial production and is not easy to decompose or pollute the environment. Propionic acid may produce more by-products in the production process, which need to be properly treated.

5. summary

Although acrylic acid and propionic acid have significant differences in molecular structure, they also have similarities in many aspects. Acrylic acid is a compound with double bonds and carboxylic acid groups, which has good chemical reactivity and is widely used in plastics, rubber, coatings and other fields. Propionic acid is a kind of carboxylic acid without double bond, chemical properties are relatively stable, mainly used in the preparation of acidic substances and pharmaceutical products.

In industrial applications, there are significant differences in the production processes and application areas of acrylic acid and propionic acid. The production process of acrylic acid is more complex and has a wider market application field, while the production process of propionic acid is relatively simple and is mainly used in the preparation of acidic substances. Therefore, when selecting chemical raw materials, it is necessary to make a reasonable choice according to the specific production needs and application areas.

Through the above analysis, we can better understand the difference between acrylic acid and propionic acid and its application in chemical production. This helps us to make the right choice and application in actual work, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.