What is Acrylic Acid?

Acrylic acid was first discovered by German chemist, Josef Redtenbacher. It is produced by both marine algae and also in the rumen fluid of sheep. It is a clear and colorless liquid which also is corrosive. Its molar mass is 72 g/mol, its melting point is 14 degrees Celsius, its boiling point is 141 degrees Celsius and its density is 1.049 g/ml. Acrylic acid polymerizes easily when exposed to heat, light or metals so whenever it is used in production of other objects, a polymerization inhibitor is added to the acrylic acid for storage. Although widely used in production of plastic and other manufactured products, while in the presence of the liquid, human eyes, skin, and mucous membranes are irritated, but luckily it has not been classified as a carcinogen, or a cancer causing agent.

An image of what acrylic acid actually looks like.

Acrylic Acid: Interpreted in 3-D in Two Ways!

The molecular formula of Acrylic Acid is C₃H₄O₂
3-D Dash Model:

In this 3-D dash model, the arrows with slashes are put in. These particular arrows are able to best represent the electronegativity levels, because the atom with the lesser electronegativity level always points to the atom with a higher electronegativity level, with a small slash to represent how covalent or ionic it is (the closer it is, the more covalent or ionic, in this case covalent). It is a linear molecule because it has no central atom!

3-D Molecule (What it actually looks like):

Covalent or Ionic Bonds?

To determine the nature of the bonds, we must first find the electronegativity level of each atom of the bond, and find the difference, and then use the below chart to determine if its nature is covalent or ionic and adding the prefixes to emphasize its nature in a more accurate way. Remember that double bonds do not influence the electonegativity values or difference, and that 0 is an absolutely covalent bond.

Now to get started with determining natures of the bonds!

C-H: 3.5-2.2 is equal to a difference of 0.3, therefore this single bond between one carbon atom and one hydrogen atom is a very covalent polar bond.

C=C: 2.5-2.5 is equal to a difference of 0.0, therefore this double bond between two carbon atoms is an absolutely covalent bond.

C-C: 2.5-2.5 is equal to a difference of 0.0, therefore this single bond between two carbon atoms is an absolutely covalent bond.

O-C: 3.5-2.5 is equal to a difference of 1.0, therefore this single bond between one oxygen atom and one carbon atom is a moderately covalent polar bond.

O=C: 3.5-2.5 is equal to a difference of 1.0, therefore this double bond between one oxygen atom and one carbon atom is a moderately covalent polar bond.

O-H: 3.5-2.2 is equal to a difference of 1.3, therefore this single bond between one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom is a slightly polar covalent bond.

Polarity

Acrylic acid is a polar molecule because there is an uneven distribution of electrons in the molecule. Because of the unshared pairs amongst the two oxygen atoms in the molecule, the oxygen molecules are negative, and therefore influence the uneven distribution of charge throughout the entire molecule. Additionally, there are no lines of symmetry in this molecule, and so therefore it is a polar molecule.

Intermolecular Forces of Attraction Between Two Molecules of Acrylic Acid

Between two molecules of acrylic acid, all three of the Intermolecular Forces of Attraction are present. These forces being London Dispersion Forces, Dipole-Dipole Forces, and Hydrogen Bonding.

The first force present is London Dispersion. London Dispersion forces are present in all molecules, non-polar and polar, and are the forces of attraction between two molecules that creates temporary dipoles which are caused by the movement of electrons around two atoms. Because acrylic acid is a polar molecule, one end will become temporarily positive and one end will temporarily become negative via this attraction. This weak force of attraction will attract the two molecules.

The second force present is Dipole-Dipole. Dipole-Dipole, unlike London Dispersion are only forces of attraction between two polar molecules only, for non-polar molecules can only be attracted by London Dispersion Forces!  A Dipole-Dipole force is an electrostatic attraction caused by the positive end of one dipole being attracted to the negative end of another dipole. The dashed line in the image below shows this electrostatic attraction between Hydrogen and Oxygen.

The third force present is a special case of a Dipole-Dipole force and is known as a Hydrogen Bond. A Hydrogen Bond is an attraction in which temporary covalent bonds are made by adjacent molecules by a hydrogen atom on one molecule attracting to a fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen atom on an adjacent molecule. In this particular case, the electrostatic attraction can also be a Hydrogen Bond, temporarily made.

Want to Purchase Acrylic Acid?

Hello, Andrew Dunn here with acrylic acid! Want to start a business involved with furniture and furnishings? Then acrylic acid is the liquid to buy! Being used in the manufacturing of plastics, floor polish, paint formulations, leather finishing, paper coatings, textiles, and adhesives, acrylic acid is a necessity to buy in bringing your business to the next level. Acrylic acid has been used for over thirty years in creating some of the most common industrial and consumer products in the United States of America. Acrylic acid is also highly reactive, so it is a useful and exclusive intermediate in production of other materials. Their monomers combine with other monomers to form polymers, or long chains of repeating units. These polymers are used in the production of goods that have provided both consumer and manufacturer satisfaction because of their convenience and added benefits. Do not just sit there! Call us now to purchase this great product. The number is 1(800) 000-000. You're not placid unless you buy some acrylic acid! Call us today!