aromatic acid

Aromatic acids are chemical compounds that feature a carboxyl group (COOH) directly attached to an aromatic ring. The simplest example is benzoic acid. These acids exhibit typical carboxylic acid reactions, such as acidity, and can also undergo electrophilic substitution on the aromatic ring, though the COOH group deactivates the ring and directs incoming groups to the meta position. Benzoic acid, found in nature and used as a food preservative (as sodium benzoate), is a key example. Other important aromatic acids include salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin, and gallic acid, used in inks. Dicarboxylic aromatic acids like phthalic and terephthalic acid are vital for producing polymers such as alkyd resins and polyesters.12