Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

What is the functional group of a carboxylic acids?

COOH, carbonyl (C-O double) and OH acid

How are carboxylic acids produced?

Oxidation of primary alcohols under reflux

What happens to carboxylic acids when they are in solution?

they are weak acids so dissociate slightly, forming a H+ ion and a carboxylate ion (RCOO-)

How do carboxylic acids react with carbonates?

They react as acids to produce a carboxylate salt, water and CO2

Why are small chain carboxylic acids soluble in water?

They can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules (between the lone pair on an oxygen atom and the positive part of the hydrogen atom)

How are esters formed and what is it called?

When carboxylic acids react with alcohols in the presence of a strong acid catalyst

Esterification

What molecule is each part of the water molecule removed from in esterification?

The OH is removed from the acid and the H from the alcohol

What are esters?

Sweet smelling compounds used in food flavourings and perfumes

What are the relative boiling points of esters?

Low

Vegetable oils and fats are esters of what naturally occurring alcohol?

Glycerol (propane - 1,2,3 - triol)

What is formed when glycerol undergoes esterification?

Triglyceride esters