Difference between isobutyric acid and butyric acid

In the chemical industry, acid compounds are important raw materials and intermediates, and isobutyric acid and butyric acid, as representatives of monocarboxylic acids, have attracted much attention due to their different chemical properties and applications. This article will analyze the difference between isobutyric acid and butyric acid in detail from the aspects of structure, physical properties and use, so as to help readers better understand the important position of the two in chemical production.

1. isobutyric acid and butyric acid structure and properties

1.1 isobutyric acid structure characteristics

Isobutyric acid (isovaleric acid, English: Isobutyric acid) is a dicarboxylic acid with the molecular formula cis h h, o. Its structure is a four-carbon chain, the middle carbon atom is connected to two carboxylic acid groups, the specific structure is as follows:

The
• middle carbon (the second carbon) is connected to a methyl group (CH), and both sides are connected to two carboxylic acid groups (COOH).
The
• structure symmetry is poor, but has high stability.

Butyric acid (English: Butanoic acid) is a monocarboxylic acid with a molecular formula of C? H and an acid group, with good structural symmetry.

1.2 physical property differences

There are significant differences in physical properties such as density, melting point, and boiling point between isobutyric acid and butyric acid:

• Density: Isobutyric acid has a slightly higher density than butyric acid.
• Melting point: Butyric acid has a slightly higher melting point than isobutyric acid.
• Boiling point: Isobutyric acid has a slightly higher boiling point than butyric acid.

These differences are of great significance in the process of separation and purification.

2. isobutyric acid and butyric acid uses

2.1 isobutyric acid use

Isobutyric acid has a wide range of applications in chemical production:

1. Organic synthesis: isobutyric acid is the synthesis of a variety of organic compounds of raw materials, such as polyester, polyurethane and so on.
2. Pharmaceutical manufacturing: in drug synthesis, isobutyric acid is often used as an intermediate, involved in drug active ingredient synthesis.
3. Textile industry: Isobutyric acid derivatives are used in textile auxiliaries production, with plasticizing and improving processing performance.

2.2 butyric acid use

The application of butyric acid is mainly concentrated in the following areas:

1. Food additives: Butyric acid and its derivatives are commonly used in food preservation, flavoring and flavoring.
2. Pharmaceutical: butyric acid is many pharmaceutical intermediates important raw materials.
3. Industrial: Butyric acid is widely used in the production of plastics, rubber and textile auxiliaries.

3. isobutyric acid and butyric acid preparation method

Preparation of

3.1 Isobutyric Acid

The preparation methods of isobutyric acid are diverse, and the common ones are as follows:

1. Chemical synthesis: by methanol and acetic acid in the catalyst under the transesterification reaction.
2. Fermentation: The use of microbial fermentation to produce isobutyric acid is still in the research stage.

33. Butyric acid preparation

The preparation methods of butyric acid mainly include:

1. Chemical method: the use of ethanol and acetic acid in the catalyst under the transesterification reaction.
2. Fermentation: the traditional fermentation process to produce butyric acid, but the efficiency is low, the current use of chemical preparation.

4. isobutyric acid and butyric acid environmental protection and safety

4.1 environmental performance

There are differences between isobutyric acid and butyric acid in terms of environmental protection:

• Dedegradability: Butyric acid degradability is better than isobutyric acid.
• Toxicity: Isobutyric acid is slightly more toxic than butyric acid.

4.2 safety issues

During operation, the safety of isobutyric acid and butyric acid requires attention:

• Isobutyric acid may trigger allergic reactions.
• Butyric acid and its derivatives are toxic and corrosive.

5. isobutyric acid and butyric acid in the future

1. Green chemistry: through the research and development of environmentally friendly catalysts, reduce the production process of pollution.
2. Multifunctional: Development of isobutyric acid and butyric acid multifunctional derivatives to meet diversified application needs.

Conclusion

Isobutyric acid and butyric acid as carboxylic acid compounds, although there are differences in some properties, but their application value in the chemical industry can not be ignored. In the future, with the progress of science and technology, acid compounds will develop in a more efficient and environmentally friendly direction.