Carboxylic acids were first described in the late 18th century by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who identified around ten substances, including formic, citric, and lactic acids. Today, many more acids belong to the carboxyl group.
Interesting Facts:
- Citric acid is derived from lemons, but it is more economical to extract it from certain types of mold. To produce 100 kg of citric acid, about 4 tons of lemons are required.
- Acetic acid has been known for over 2,300 years. While its chemical formula was a mystery for a long time, it was recognized as a byproduct of wine fermentation.
- Orthophosphoric acid is used in many industries. It is an ingredient in fertilizers and is also used in the production of the well-known drink Coca-Cola.
- Acetic acid was used in the production of cosmetics in ancient Greece.
- Hydrofluoric acid is unique. It easily dissolves glass and is the only compound capable of doing so. Remarkably, it can be stored in metal containers without reacting with them.
- Formic acid is found in many plants and is also present in human sweat. Interestingly, ants use formic acid actively, which is why it was named after them.
- Ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C, is an excellent remedy for scurvy and its prevention. This disease was common among sailors who lacked access to fresh food.
- Bears use formic acid to clean their fur from insects and parasites after hibernation by rolling on anthills.
- Nicotinic acid has nothing to do with cigarettes or tobacco. It is found in many foods and is essential for proper body development and fetal growth.
- Acids can exist not only in liquid form but also in solid form. Examples include boric acid and citric acid.
- Sulfuric acid is the most widely consumed acid in the world. It is used in many industries, including metallurgy and high-precision electronics.
- Vinegar in Europe was discovered by accident. People initially discarded it, thinking it was a spoiled product, but eventually, its unique properties were discovered, and acetic acid became widely used in cooking and other areas of life.
- In Sicily, Italy, there is a unique lake called Lake of Death. Life is impossible even on its shores, and it is unsafe to approach due to the lake’s high acid content, making it impossible to swim or rest near it.
- Valeric acid gets its name from the fact that it is found in large quantities in the root of valerian plants.
Carboxylic acids are organic compounds that play a crucial role in human life. Without them, life on Earth would not be possible. They are used in various industries, including electrical engineering, metallurgy, and food production, and are involved in the metabolic processes of living organisms.