Alcohols are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a saturated carbon atom. Carboxylic acids are characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). Alcohols and carboxylic acids are two of the most widely studied classes of organic compounds due to their distinct chemical reactivity, versatility in synthesis, and broad applications across various industries. The physical properties of these compounds, such as molecular weight, melting point, boiling point, and density, play a significant role in their applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental industries. The following table lists the physical properties of some common alcohols and carboxylic acids.
| Class of Compound | IUPAC Name | Common Name | C | H | O | Mol Weight (g/mol) | Melting Point (℃ | Boiling Point (℃) | Density (@ 20 ℃ g/mol) | pKa(1) | pKa(2) |
| 1-alkanol | Methanol | Methyl alcohol | 1 | 4 | 1 | 32.04 | -98 | 65 | 0.791 | 15.5 | |
| 1-alkanol | Ethanol | Ethyl alcohol | 2 | 6 | 1 | 46.07 | -114 | 78 | 0.789 | 15.5 | |
| 1-alkanol | 1-Propanol | Propyl alcohol | 3 | 8 | 1 | 60.09 | -124 | 97 | 0.804 | 16.1 | |
| 1-alkanol | 1-Butanol | Butyl alcohol | 4 | 10 | 1 | 74.12 | -89 | 118 | 0.81 | 16.1 | |
| 1-alkanol | 1-Pentanol | Amyl alcohol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | -78 | 138 | 0.814 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Hexanol | Caproyl alcohol | 6 | 14 | 1 | 102.17 | -46 | 157 | 0.814 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Heptanol | Heptyl alcohol | 7 | 16 | 1 | 116.198 | -33 | 178 | 0.822 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Octanol | Capryl alcohol | 8 | 18 | 1 | 130.22 | -15 | 195 | 0.829 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Nonanol | Nonyl alcohol | 9 | 20 | 1 | 144.25 | -5 | 214 | 0.828 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Decanol | Capric alcohol | 10 | 22 | 1 | 158.276 | 7 | 229 | 0.83 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Undecanol | Undecyl alcohol | 11 | 24 | 1 | 172.3 | 1 | 246 | 0.83 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Dodecanol | Lauryl alcohol | 12 | 26 | 1 | 186.33 | 24 | 264 | 0.833 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Tridecanol | 13 | 28 | 1 | 200.35 | 31 | 287 | 0.822 | |||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Tetradecanol | Tetra decylalcohol | 14 | 30 | 1 | 214.38 | 38 | 296 | 0.824 | ||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Pentadecanol | 15 | 32 | 1 | 228.41 | 44 | 318 | 0.835 | |||
| 1-alkanol | 1-Docosanol | 22 | 46 | 1 | 326.59 | 71 | |||||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Propanol | Isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol | 3 | 8 | 1 | 60.09 | -88 | 82 | 0.785 | 17.2 | |
| 2-alkanol | 2-Butanol | sec-Butyl alcohol | 4 | 10 | 1 | 74.12 | -88 | 99 | 0.806 | 17.6 | |
| 2-alkanol | 2-Pentanol | sec-Amyl alcohol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | -73 | 119 | 0.809 | 17.8 | |
| 2-alkanol | 2-Hexanol | 6 | 14 | 1 | 102.17 | -23 | 138 | 0.816 | |||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Heptanol | 7 | 16 | 1 | 116.2 | 159 | 0.817 | ||||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Octanol | sec-Caprylic alcohol | 8 | 18 | 1 | 130.22 | -31.6 | 179 | 0.819 | ||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Nonanol | 9 | 20 | 1 | 144.25 | -35 | 194 | 0.83 | |||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Decanol | 10 | 22 | 1 | 158.28 | -5 | 212 | 0.825 | |||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Undecanol | 11 | 24 | 1 | 172.3 | 0 | 231 | 0.825 | |||
| 2-alkanol | 2-Dodecanol | 12 | 26 | 1 | 186.33 | 19 | 249 | 0.829 | |||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Pentanol | Diethyl carbinol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | -73 | 115 | 0.82 | 18.2 | |
| 3-alkanol | 3-Hexanol | 6 | 14 | 1 | 102.17 | -57 | 143 | 0.818 | |||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Heptanol | Ethylbutylcarbinol | 7 | 16 | 1 | 116.2 | -70 | 163 | 0.823 | ||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Octanol | 8 | 18 | 1 | 130.22 | -45 | 175 | 0.826 | |||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Nonanol | 9 | 20 | 1 | 144.25 | 22 | 193 | 0.825 | |||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Decanol | 10 | 22 | 1 | 158.28 | -5 | 212 | 0.827 | |||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Undecanol | 11 | 24 | 1 | 172.3 | 230 | 0.088 | ||||
| 3-alkanol | 3-Dodecanol | 12 | 26 | 1 | 186.33 | 25 | 246 | 0.829 | |||
| 4-alkanol | 4-Heptanol | Dipropylcarbinol | 7 | 16 | 1 | 116.12 | -41 | 161 | 0.818 | ||
| 4-alkanol | 4-Octanol | 8 | 18 | 1 | 130.22 | -41 | 176 | 0.819 | |||
| 4-alkanol | 4-Nonanol | 9 | 20 | 1 | 144.25 | -7 | 193 | 0.828 | |||
| 4-alkanol | 4-Decanol | 10 | 22 | 1 | 158.28 | -11 | 214 | 0.826 | |||
| Branched alcohol | 2-Methyl-2-propanol | 4 | 10 | 1 | 74.12 | 25.7 | 83 | 0.789 | |||
| Branched alcohol | 2-Methyl-1-propanol | Isobutanol, isobutyl alcohol | 4 | 10 | 1 | 74.12 | 108 | 0.802 | |||
| Branched alcohol | 2-Methyl-2-butanol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | -8 | 102 | 0.81 | |||
| Branched alcohol | 3-Methyl-2-butanol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | 114 | 0.818 | ||||
| Branched alcohol | 2-Methyl-1-butanol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | 129 | 0.818 | ||||
| Branched alcohol | 3-Methyl-1-butanol | 5 | 12 | 1 | 88.15 | -117 | 131 | 0.81 | |||
| Cycloalcohol | Cyclohexanol | 6 | 12 | 1 | 100.16 | 25 | 161 | 0.962 | |||
| Phenols | Phenol | Hydroxybenzene | 6 | 6 | 1 | 94.11 | 41 | 181 | 1.055 | 9.98 | |
| Phenols | 2-Methylphenol | o-Cresol, 2-methylhydroxybenzene | 7 | 8 | 1 | 108.13 | 31 | 191 | 1.033 | 10.29 | |
| Phenols | 4-Methylphenol | p-Cresol, 4-methylhydroxybenzene | 7 | 8 | 1 | 108.13 | 35 | 202 | 1.019 | 10.26 | |
| Phenols | 3-Methylphenol | m-Cresol, 3-methylhydroxybenzene | 7 | 8 | 1 | 108.13 | 12 | 202 | 1.034 | 10.09 | |
| Phenols | 2-Methoxyphenol | Guaiacol | 7 | 8 | 2 | 124.13 | 28 | 204 | 1.12921 | 9.98 | |
| Phenols | 3-Methoxyphenol | Resorcinol, monomethyl ether | 7 | 8 | 2 | 124.13 | -18 | 244 | 1.131 | 9.65 | |
| Phenols | 4-Methoxyphenol | 7 | 8 | 2 | 124.13 | 55 | 253 | 10.21 | |||
| Phenols | 2-Ethylphenol | 2-Ethylhydroxybenzene | 8 | 10 | 1 | 122.16 | -3 | 205 | 1.017 | 10.2 | |
| Phenols | 4-Ethylphenol | 4-Ethylhydroxybenzene | 8 | 10 | 1 | 122.16 | 45 | 218 | 1.05 | 10 | |
| Phenols | 3-Ethylphenol | 3- Ethylhydroxybenzene | 8 | 10 | 1 | 122.16 | -4 | 218 | 1.028 | 9.9 | |
| Phenols | 2-Propylphenol | o-Propylphenol | 9 | 12 | 1 | 136.19 | 7 | 223 | 1.015 | 10.47 | |
| Phenols | 4-Propylphenol | p-Propylphenol | 9 | 12 | 1 | 136.19 | 22 | 232 | 1.009 | 10.34 | |
| Diol | 1,2-Ethanediol | Ethylene glycol | 2 | 6 | 2 | 62.07 | -14 | 198 | 1.114 | ||
| Diol | 1,2-Benzenediol | Catechol, pyrocatechol | 6 | 6 | 2 | 110.11 | 102 | 245 | 1.344 | 9.45 | 12.8 |
| Diol | 1,3-Benzenediol | Resorcinol | 6 | 6 | 2 | 110.11 | 110 | 277 | 1.278 | 9.2 | 11.3 |
| Diol | 1,4-Benzenediol | Hydroquinone,,4-Dihydroxybenzene | 6 | 6 | 2 | 110.11 | 172 | 285 | 10.9 | 11.4 | |
| Diol | 4-Methyl-1,2-benzenediol | 4-Methylcatechol | 7 | 8 | 2 | 124.13 | 68 | 251 | 1.129 | 9.55 | |
| Triol | 1,3,5-Benzenetriol | Phloroglucinol, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene | 6 | 6 | 3 | 126.11 | 216 | sublimates | 1.46 | 8.45 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Formic acid | Methanoic acid | 1 | 2 | 2 | 46.03 | 8 | 101 | 1.22 | 3.74 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Acetic acid | Ethanoic acid | 2 | 4 | 2 | 60.05 | 17 | 118 | 1.048 | 4.76 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Propanoic acid | Propionic acid | 3 | 6 | 2 | 74.08 | -21 | 142 | 0.991 | 4.87 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Butanoic acid | Butyric acid | 4 | 8 | 2 | 88.1 | -5 | 164 | 0.956 | 4.82 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Pentanoic acid | Valeric acid | 5 | 10 | 2 | 102.13 | -34 | 186 | 0.937 | 4.86 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Hexanoic acid | Caproic acid | 6 | 12 | 2 | 116.16 | -4 | 202 | 0.924 | 4.87 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Heptanoic acid | Enanthic acid | 7 | 14 | 2 | 130.18 | -7 | 222 | 0.916 | 4.89 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Octanoic acid | Caprylic acid | 8 | 16 | 2 | 144.21 | 17 | 240 | 0.911 | 4.89 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Nonanoic acid | Pelargonic acid | 9 | 18 | 2 | 158.23 | 12 | 256 | 0.905 | 4.96 | |
| Alkanoic acid | Dodecanoic acid | Lauric acid | 12 | 24 | 2 | 200.31 | 44 | 296 | 0.868 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Decanoic acid | Capric acid | 13 | 26 | 2 | 214.34 | 31 | 270 | 0.886 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Tridecanoic acid | Tridecylic acid | 14 | 28 | 2 | 228.36 | 42 | 308 | 0.846 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Undecanoic acid | 15 | 30 | 2 | 242.39 | 28.5 | 280 | 0.891 | |||
| Alkanoic acid | Tetradecanoic acid | Myristic acid | 16 | 32 | 2 | 256.42 | 54 | 350** | 0.862 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Pentacanoic acid | Pentadecylic acid | 17 | 34 | 2 | 270.44 | 52 | 360** | 0.842 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Hexadecanoic acid | Palmitic acid | 16 | 32 | 2 | 256.42 | 63 | 351 | 0.853 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Octadecanoic acid | Stearic acid | 18 | 36 | 2 | 284.48 | 69 | decomposes361 | 0.941 | ||
| Alkanoic acid | Docosanoic acid | Behenic acid | 22 | 44 | 2 | 340.57 | 81 | >400** | 0.822 | ||
| Branched alkanoic acid | 2-Methylpropanoic acid | Isobutyric acid | 4 | 8 | 2 | 88.104 | -46 | 155 | 0.945 | 4.84 | |
| Branched alkanoic acid | 2-Methylbutanoic acid | 5 | 10 | 2 | 102.13 | -80 | 177 | 0.934 | 4.8 | ||
| Branched alkanoic acid | 3-Methylbutanoic acid | Isovaleric acid | 5 | 10 | 2 | 102.13 | -30 | 176 | 0.925 | 4.77 | |
| Branched alkanoic acid | 2,2-Dimethylpropanoic acid | Trimethylacetic acid | 5 | 10 | 2 | 102.13 | 35 | 164 | 0.905 | 4.78 | |
| Branched alkanoic acid | 2-Methylpentanoic acid | 6 | 12 | 2 | 116.16 | 195 | 0.923 | ||||
| Branched alkanoic acid | 3-Methylpentanoic acid | 3-Methylvaleric acid | 6 | 12 | 2 | 116.16 | -42 | 197 | 0.926 | ||
| Branched alkanoic acid | 4-Methylpentanoic acid | 4-Methylvaleric acid, Isocaproic acid | 6 | 12 | 2 | 116.16 | -33 | 200 | 0.923 | 4.84 | |
| Branched alkanoic acid | 2-Methylhexanoic acid | 7 | 14 | 2 | 130.18 | 209 | 0.92 | ||||
| Branched alkanoic acid | 4-Methylhexanoic acid | 7 | 14 | 2 | 130.18 | 110 | 0.921 | ||||
| Cinnamic acid | trans-o-Methylcinnamic acid | 10 | 10 | 2 | 162.18 | 175 | 4.5 | ||||
| Cinnamic acid | trans-p-Methylcinnamic acid | 10 | 10 | 2 | 199 | 4.56 | |||||
| Phenyl-alkanoic acid | Phenylethanoic acid | α-Tolylic acid, Benzeneacetic | 8 | 8 | 2 | 136.14 | 77 | 266 | 1.2286 | 4.31 | |
| Phenyl-alkanoic acid | 2-Phenylbutyric acid | a-Ethyl-a-toluic acid | 10 | 12 | 2 | 47.5 | 4.66 | ||||
| Hydroxy acids | Hydroxyethanoic acid | Glycolic acid | 2 | 4 | 3 | 76.05 | 80 | decomposes | 3.88 | ||
| Hydroxy acids | 2-Hydroxy-benzoic acid | Salicylic acid | 7 | 6 | 3 | 138.12 | 159 | 1.443 | 2.97 | 13.59 | |
| Hydroxy acids | 3-Hydroxy-benzoic acid | 7 | 6 | 3 | 138.12 | 202 | 4.8 | 9.9 | |||
| Hydroxy acids | 4-Hydroxy-benzoic acid | 7 | 6 | 3 | 138.12 | 215 | 4.58 | 9.4 | |||
| Alkanedioic acid | Ethanedioic acid | Oxalic acid | 2 | 2 | 4 | 90.04 | decomposes190 | sublimates157 | 1.9 | 1.25 | 4.29 |
| Alkanedioic acid | Propanedioic acid | Malonic acid | 3 | 4 | 4 | 104.06 | 136 | decomposes140 | 1.619 | 2.85 | 5.69 |
| Alkanedioic acid | Butanedioic acid | Succinic acid | 4 | 6 | 4 | 118.09 | 185 | decomposes235 | 1.572 | 4.21 | 5.64 |
| Alkanedioic acid | Pentanedioic acid | Glutaric acid | 5 | 8 | 4 | 132.11 | 96 | 302** | 3.22 | 4.82 | |
| Alkanedioic acid | Hexanedioic acid | Adipic acid | 6 | 10 | 4 | 146.14 | 153 | 265** | 4.34 | 5.41 | |
| Alkanedioic acid | Heptanedioic acid | Pimelic acid | 7 | 12 | 4 | 160.17 | 104 | 212** | 4.71 | 5.58 | |
| Alkanedioic acid | Octanedioic acid | Suberic acid | 8 | 14 | 4 | 174.19 | 142 | 230** | 4.52 | 5.498 | |
| Alkanedioic acid | Nonanedioic acid | Azelaic acid | 9 | 16 | 4 | 188.29 | 110 | 286** | 4.53 | 5.33 | |
| Alkanedioic acid | Decanedioic acid | Sebacic acid | 10 | 18 | 4 | 202.24 | 131 | 374** | 1.271 | 4.59 | 5.59 |
| Alkanedioic acid | Undecanedioic acid | 1,9-Nonanedicarboxylic acid | 11 | 20 | 4 | 216.27 | 109 | 4.65 | |||
| Alkanedioic acid | Dodecanedioic acid | Decane-1,10-dicarboxylic acid | 12 | 22 | 4 | 230.3 | 128 | 245** | 4.65 | ||
| Alkanedioic acid | Tridecanedioic acid | Brassylic acid | 13 | 24 | 4 | 244.32 | 113 | 4.65 | |||
| Alkenedioic acids | cis-Butenedioic acid | Maleic | 4 | 4 | 4 | 116.07 | 139 | decomposes | 1.59 | 1.92 | 6.22 |
| Alkenedioic acids | trans-Butenedioic acid | Fumaric | 4 | 4 | 4 | 116.07 | sublimates 300 | 1.635 | 3.02 | 4.39 | |
| Alkenedioic acids | 2-Octenedioic acid | 8 | 12 | 4 | 172.18 | 4.15 | |||||
| Branched dioic acids | 2-Methylpropanedioic acid | Methylmalonic acid | 4 | 6 | 4 | 118.09 | 129 | 1.455 | 3.07 | 5.76 | |
| Branched dioic acids | 3-Methylpentanedioic acid | 3-Methylglutaric acid | 6 | 10 | 4 | 146.14 | 83 | 4.24 | |||
| Aromatic dioic acids | 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid | o-Phthalic acid | 8 | 6 | 4 | 166.13 | d210 | 4.42 | 5.41 | ||
| Aromatic dioic acids | 2,6-Naphthalenedicarboxylic acid | 12 | 8 | 4 | 216.18 | >300 | |||||
| Aromatic dioic acids | 1,4-Naphthalenedicarboxylic acid | 12 | 8 | 4 | 216.18 | >301 | |||||
| Aromatic dioic acids | Biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid | 14 | 10 | 4 | 242.22 | >300 |
* Some substances have a melting point higher than 20 ℃, therefore the density given is for the solid state. The superscript symbols give measured temperatures (in ℃) different from 20 ℃.
** The boiling point is estimated from low pressure measurements. It is not known whether the substance is chemically stable at a given boiling temperature of 1 atmosphere.
