1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid describes a pair of
organic compound
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...
s with the formula . The CO
2H groups are attached to the opposite carbon centers of the
cyclohexane
Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula . Cyclohexane is non-polar. Cyclohexane is a colourless, flammable liquid with a distinctive detergent-like odor, reminiscent of cleaning products (in which it is sometimes used). Cyclohexan ...
ring. These groups can be cis or trans. Other isomers of cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid are known, but the 1,4- isomers are of greatest interest, perhaps because they are obtainable from a commodity chemical. Specifically,
hydrogenation
Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to redox, reduce or Saturated ...
of
terephthalic acid
Terephthalic acid is an organic compound with formula C6H4(CO2H)2. This white solid is a commodity chemical, used principally as a precursor to the polyester PET, used to make clothing and plastic bottles. Several million tons are produced annuall ...
affords the title compound:
:.
The trans isomer has been more heavily studied. It has been examined as a precursor to
polycarbonate
Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate ester, carbonate groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, toughness, tough materials, and some grades are optically transp ...
s and as a building block for
metal-organic frameworks.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-
Dicarboxylic acids
Cyclohexanes