Dicarboxylic acids analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (Introduction to parts 0 to VI)

Linear saturated dicarboxylic acids are a class of organic chemical compounds with two carboxyl functional groups (-COOH) at the extremities of their aliphatic chains. This class of organic acids can be represented by the general molecular formula HOOC-(CH₂)_n-COOH. The most common values for n with their respective acid names are present in Table I. The general chemical behavior and reactivity of these compounds are similar to monocarboxylic acids, and they are all widely used in the production of copolymers, such as polyamides and polyesters (Refs. 1–3). The easy conversion of carboxyl groups to esters has industrial importance since many esters are used as taste and odor enhancers. Carboxylic acids are also used as catalysts, replacing ecologically unfavorable organic halides (Ref. 4). Over the last three decades, interest in such acids has increased, specifically regarding their application to improve the corrosion resistance of metallic...