Aromatic acid

Aromatic acids are a class of organic compounds that contain a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to an aromatic ring. They are a significant category of organic chemistry and biochemistry. The most common aromatic acids are the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, and the nucleic acids adenine and guanine.

Structure and Properties

Aromatic acids have a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to an aromatic ring. The aromatic ring can be a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, or other types of aromatic rings. The presence of the aromatic ring gives these acids unique properties, such as increased stability and reactivity compared to aliphatic acids.

Types of Aromatic Acids

There are several types of aromatic acids, including:

• Benzoic acid: This is the simplest aromatic acid, consisting of a carboxyl group attached to a benzene ring. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and dyes.

• Salicylic acid: This aromatic acid is used in the manufacture of aspirin and in the treatment of skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.

• Phthalic acid: This is used in the manufacture of plastics and dyes.

• Terephthalic acid: This is used in the manufacture of polyester fibers and resins.

Biological Importance

Aromatic acids are important in biology. For example, the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, which contain aromatic rings, are essential for protein synthesis in the body. The nucleic acids adenine and guanine, which also contain aromatic rings, are essential for the synthesis of DNA and RNA.

See Also

• Aliphatic acid
• Amino acid
• Nucleic acid
• Organic compound
• Biochemistry

References

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