Phthalic Acid Formula

Phthalic Acid Formula

Chemicals like dyes, phthalates, saccharin, perfumes, and many other useful products are produced by using phthalic acid as an anhydride. Isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid are isomers of the Phthalic Acid Formula. A great French chemist, Auguste Laurent invented this acid by oxidizing naphthalene tetrachloride.

Phthalic Acid Structural Formula

Benzene dicarboxylic acids contain two carboxy groups at ortho positions, such as phthalic acid. The metabolite plays a role in xenobiotic metabolism in humans. Phthalate(1-) and phthalate(2-) combine to form this conjugate acid. 

Physical Properties of Phthalic Acid

  • The colourlessness of the Phthalic Acid Formula is due to its chemical composition.
  • Phthalic Acid has a molecular mass of 166.132 grams per mole.
  • Dibasic acid is what it is.
  • Phthalic Acid Formula has a melting point of 207°C.
  • Phthalic Acid has a density of 1.593 grams per cubic centimeter.
  • 0.6g of it dissolves in 100mL of water.
  • Phthalic Acid Formula is an organic crystalline compound that is aromatic in nature.

Chemical Properties of Phthalic Acid

  • Phthalic Acid Formula is reduced with sodium amalgam in the presence of water to generate 1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives.
  • A reaction between Phthalic Acid Formula C6H4(COOH)2 and alcohol (C2H5OH) produces phthalic acid esters, which are used in diffusion pumps and to replace mercury in manometers.
  • Monoperoxy Phthalic Acid is generated when Phthalic anhydride is treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide in the cold.

C6H4(CO)2O + H2O2 ⇢ C8H6O5

Production of Phthalic Acid

Naphthalene or ortho-xylene are catalytically oxidized to phthalic anhydride followed by hydrolysis of the anhydride to produce Phthalic Acid Formula.

By oxidising naphthalene tetrachloride, French chemist Auguste Laurent obtained Phthalic Acid Formula in 1836. He named it “naphthalic acid” since he believed it was a naphthalene derivative. Laurent gave it its present name after Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac determined its correct formula. Nitric acid or fuming sulfuric acid was used to oxidise naphthalene tetrachloride in the nineteenth century, using mercury or Mercury(II) Sulfate as a catalyst.

Phthalic Acid Uses

  • In addition to dyes, perfumes, phthalates, and saccharin, anhydrous Phthalic Acid Formula is used in the production of many chemicals.
  • In consumer goods, construction materials, and commodities, phthalic acid esters (Phthalates) are widely used.
  • The presence of phthalates in food and the environment is common. Therefore, they are found in high concentrations in the air and dust of homes and workplaces.
Chemistry Related Formulas
Magnesium Nitride Formula Grams To Moles Formula
Oxalate Formula Hexanoic Acid Formula
Pentane Formula Hyponitrous Acid Formula
Percentage Yield Formula Iron III Hydroxide Formula
Potassium Oxide Formula Lead Ii Chloride Formula
Rydberg Formula
Sodium Nitrite Formula Potassium Hypochlorite Formula
Zinc Sulfide Formula Rate Of Decay Formula
Thermodynamics Formulas
Aluminium Carbonate Formula Aluminum Fluoride Formula

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is Phthalic Acid safe?

Acids are harmful to the human body. Extreme heat can damage phthalic acid. When Phthalic Acid is exposed to the body, it causes irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Phthalic acid can cause narcosis if a large amount has been in contact.

2. Is Phthalic Acid a strong acid?

No Phthalic acid is not a powerful acid. When it comes in contact with strong bases, it reacts vigorously despite its weak dibasic acid pKa values of 2.89 and 5.51.

3. Calculate Phthalic Acid's molecular weight.

Eight carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms make up phthalic acid.

Atomic weight of each carbon atom = 12.01

Atomic weight of each Hydrogen = 1.00784

Atomic weight of each Oxygen = 15.999

Molecular weight of C6H4(COOH)2 = (8 × 12.01) + (6 × 1.00784) + (4 × 15.999)

= 166.132

4. How to convert Phthalic Acid to Phthalic anhydrate?

By When Phthalic Acid is dehydrated, Phthalic Anhydrate is obtained. When heated, phthalic acid loses water molecules, forming acid anhydrides. A needle-shaped solid, Phthalic anhydrate is colourless to white and lustrous.

5. What are the uses of Phthalic anhydrate?

Around the world, phthalic anhydride is used in a wide variety of applications, including resin synthesis, agricultural fungicides, and amines. Naphthalene or ortho-xylene may also be oxidized with it. In the vapour process, o-xylene and naphthalene are oxidized to form phthalic anhydrate. Phthalic acid can also be used to prepare it. For detailed information pertaining to this topic, students can access the reference materials available on the Extramarks educational platform.

6. What happens when Phthalic Acid reacts with ammonia?

Ammonium phthalate is formed when phthalic acid C6H4(COOH)2 reacts with ammonia (NH3). Upon further heating, phthalimide is formed.