Concept:
A dicarboxylic acid is an organic acid containing two carboxyl groups:
\[
(-COOH)
\]
General form:
\[
HOOC-R-COOH
\]
If a compound has only one $-COOH$ group, it is a monocarboxylic acid.
Step 1: Check Malonic acid
Formula:
\[
CH_2(COOH)_2
\]
It contains two carboxyl groups.
\[
\Rightarrow \text{Dicarboxylic acid}
\]
Step 2: Check Caproic acid
Caproic acid = Hexanoic acid
Formula:
\[
CH_3(CH_2)_4COOH
\]
It contains only one carboxyl group.
\[
\Rightarrow \text{Monocarboxylic acid}
\]
Step 3: Check Glutaric acid
Formula:
\[
HOOC(CH_2)_3COOH
\]
It contains two carboxyl groups.
\[
\Rightarrow \text{Dicarboxylic acid}
\]
Step 4: Check Succinic acid
Formula:
\[
HOOC(CH_2)_2COOH
\]
It contains two carboxyl groups.
\[
\Rightarrow \text{Dicarboxylic acid}
\]
Step 5: Final Answer
The compound which is not a dicarboxylic acid is:
\[
\boxed{\text{Caproic acid
\]
Quick Tip:
Names ending in \textit{-dioic acid} often represent dicarboxylic acids.