ABSTRACT
Organic acids are hydrocarbons containing a carboxyl group that can be classied according to (1) the type of carbon chain (aliphatic or aromatic), (2) the degree of saturation, (3) the type of substituent (haloacetic, phenoxyacetic, hydroxy-, and keto-acids), and (4) the number of functional groups (mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic). Table 20.1 shows the most prevalent organic acids together with their physical and chemical properties.
