Differentiate between organic acids

Question

Hi!

I have trouble figuring out how I should differentiate between benzoic acid and stearic acid.

I've read on the internet that benzoic acid is not that soluble in water, but more soluble than stearic acid is. But is there any other easy way to differentiate between them besides solubility in water, because it feels like it will still be hard to differentiate? Because I as blind as a bat (not meaning that I am really blind, I just don't have the greatest vision in the world) and hope to find another way to differentiate between the acids.

Answer 1

I can think of a few ways off hand.

1). Benzoic acid has a rather pleasant odor but stearic acid stinks. If you decide to use the "smell test" be careful not to breath in too much.

2). You might be able to tell them apart if you have a melting point apparatus.

3). Benzoic acid is pretty soluble in ethanol but stearic acid is not very soluble. You should be able to look up the solubilities and tell them apart that way.

I'm sure there are other chemical methods, but these seem the simplest.