Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid

Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid

April 14, 2018 Posted by Madhu

Key Difference – Methanoic Acid vs Ethanoic Acid

The key difference between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid is that methanoic acid consists of a hydrogen atom bonded to a carboxylic functional group whereas ethanoic acid consists of a methyl group bonded to a carboxylic acid group.

Carboxylic acid groups have the chemical formula –COOH. There, the carbon atom is bonded to one oxygen atom via a double bond and to a hydroxyl group (-OH) via a single bond. Methanoic acid and ethanoic acid are the simplest forms of carboxylic acids.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Methanoic Acid
3. What is Ethanoic Acid
4. Similarities Between Methaic Acid and Ethanoic Acid
5. Side by Side Comparison – Methanoic Acid vs Ethanoic Acid in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Methanoic Acid?

Methanoic acid, also known as formic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid which contains a carboxylic acid group bonded to a hydrogen atom. The general chemical formula of this compound is HCOOH. The molar mass of this compound is 46 g/mol. At room temperature, methanoic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. The melting point of it is 8.4°C and the boiling point is 100.8°C.

Methanoic acid is miscible with water and polar solvents because it is a polar compound. Also, it is capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules because of the –OH groups present in this molecule. Methanoic acid molecules form dimers (can form two hydrogen bonds between two methanoic acid molecules) in its vapor phase rather than individual molecules.

Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid

Figure 01: Methanoic Acid Dimers

There are several common methods of producing methanoic acid;

  1. Hydrolysis of methyl formate
  2. As a byproduct of the production of other chemicals (ex: acetic acid production)
  3. Hydrogenation of CO2 into formic acid

What is Ethanoic Acid?

Ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, is the second simplest carboxylic acid that contains a carboxylic acid group bonded to a methyl group. A methyl group has the chemical formula –CH3. Therefore, the chemical formula of ethanoic acid is CH3COOH. The molar mass of this compound is 60 g/mol. At room temperature, it is a colorless liquid with a vinegar-like odor. The melting point of ethanoic acid is 16.5°C and the boiling point is 118°C.

Ethanoic acid is a weak acid because it dissociates partially in an aqueous solution. However, concentrated acid is corrosive and can cause skin injuries. The carboxylic acid group of the ethanoic acid can release its proton, which is responsible for the acidic character of this acid. However, it is a monoprotic acid because it can only release one proton per molecule. When a proton is released, the conjugate base of this acid forms called acetate (-COO–).

Key Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid

Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Ethanoic Acid

Ethanoic acid is mainly produced via methanol carbonylation. In this reaction, methanol and carbon monoxide are reacted with each other in the presence of a catalyst. Another older method of acetic acid production was acetaldehyde oxidation.

What are the Similarities Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid?

  • Both methanoic acid and ethanoic acid compounds contain carboxylic acid groups.
  • Both acids are capable of forming hydrogen bonds.
  • Both are colorless liquids at room temperature with a pungent odor.

What is the Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid?

Methanoic Acid vs Ethanoic Acid

Methanoic acid, also known as formic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid that contains a carboxylic acid group bonded to a hydrogen atom. Ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, is the second simplest carboxylic acid that contains a carboxylic acid group bonded to a methyl group.
Components
Consists of a carboxylic acid group bonded to a hydrogen atom. Consists of a carboxylic acid group bonded to a methyl group.
Chemical Formula
The chemical formula is HCOOH. The chemical formula is CH3COOH.
Molar Mass
The molar mass is 46 g/mol. The molar mass is 60 g/mol.
Melting and Boiling Point
The melting point is 8.4°C and the boiling point is 100.8°C. The melting point is 16.5°C and the boiling point is 118°C.

Summary – Methanoic Acid vs Ethanoic Acid

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds consist of –COOH groups. Methanoic acid and ethanoic acid are the simplest forms of carboxylic acids. The difference between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid is that methanoic acid consists of a hydrogen atom bonded to a carboxylic functional group whereas ethanoic acid consists of a methyl group bonded to a carboxylic acid group.

Reference:

1. “Formic Acid.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Apr. 2018. Available here
2. “Formic Acid.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available here
3. “Acetic Acid.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Apr. 2018. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’Formic Acid Hydrogenbridge V.1’By Jü – Own work, (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’1299149′ by OpenClipart-Vectors (Public Domain) via pixabay

Related posts:

Difference Between Ethanol and Ethanoic AcidDifference Between Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid Difference Between Allylic and Vinylic CarbonsDifference Between Allylic and Vinylic Carbons Difference Between Polymer and Copolymer Key Difference Between SN2 and E2 ReactionsDifference Between SN2 and E2 Reactions Difference Between Stereospecific and Stereoselective ReactionsDifference Between Stereospecific and Stereoselective Reactions

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry Tagged With: ethanoic acid, Ethanoic Acid Formula, Ethanoic Acid properties, Methanoic Acid, Methanoic Acid Formula, Methanoic Acid Molar Mass, Methanoic Acid Properties

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering

Difference Between L and S Coronavirus

Difference Between L and S Coronavirus

Difference Between T-Mobile MyTouch 4G and Samsung Galaxy S 4G

Difference Between Information and Intelligence

Difference Between Information and Intelligence

Difference Between True and False Aneurysm

Difference Between True and False Aneurysm

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Benzoic Acid and Benzaldehyde
  • What is the Difference Between Materia Alba and Plaque
  • What is the Difference Between Panthenol and Dexpanthenol
  • What is the Difference Between Seroma and Hernia
  • What is the Difference Between Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid
  • What is the Difference Between Argumentative and Expository Essay
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.