Malonic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H4O4. The correct pronunciation of malonic acid is /məˈlɒnɪk ˈæsɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word is spelled with two 'l's because it is derived from the word "malonate" and is a prefix in organic chemistry. The stress is on the second syllable 'lon' and the acid is pronounced as 'asid'. The spelling and pronunciation of malonic acid are important in studies of organic chemistry and biochemistry.
Malonic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H4O4. It is an organic compound that belongs to the carboxylic acid group, which is characterized by the presence of one or more carboxyl functional groups (COOH). Malonic acid is formed by the oxidation of malic acid or by the hydrolysis of malononitrile.
It occurs as a white, crystalline solid with a slightly sour taste, and it is soluble in water and many organic solvents. Malonic acid has found various applications in different fields, including the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and dyes.
In organic chemistry, malonic acid is commonly used as a starting material for the synthesis of other compounds due to its versatile reactivity. It acts as a carboxylic acid, participating in reactions such as esterification, halogenation, decarboxylation, and addition reactions. Additionally, malonic acid can undergo double-decarboxylation, yielding acetic acid, which is a valuable chemical for different industrial processes.
Due to its unique properties and reactivity, malonic acid has become a key compound in the construction of complex organic molecules. As a building block, it helps introduce additional carbon atoms or functional groups in the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals. Its significance in organic chemistry, coupled with its various applications, has made malonic acid an important substance in the chemical industry.
The word "malonic acid" derives from its chemical structure and the source from which it was first isolated.
The term "malonic" comes from the Latin word "malum", meaning "apple". This is because malonic acid was first extracted from apple juice by Antoine Jérôme Balard in 1858.
The "-ic" suffix in organic chemistry signifies the presence of an acid functional group (-COOH). Thus, the name "malonic acid" indicates that it is an acid derived from malic acid, which is found in apples.