Carboxylic acids & esters

production of carboxylic acid: from primary alcohol and aldehydes

reagents: K₂Cr₂O₇ or KMnO₄

production of carboxylic acid: hydrolysis of nitriles

reagents: dilute acid or dilue alkali followed by acidification

CH₃CH₂CN + HCl + 2H₂O → CH₃CH₂COOH + NH₄Cl

CH₃CH₂CN + NaOH + H₂O → CH₃CH₂COO^-Na⁺ + NH₃

CH₃CH₂COO^-Na⁺ → (acidification) CH₃CH₂COOH

production of carboxylic acid: hydrolysis of esters

reagents:

• dilute acid

• dilue alkali, heated, followed by acidification

esters → alcohol + carboxylic acid

carboxylic acids + Na

ethanoic acid + Na → sodium ethanoate + H₂ (g)

=> observation: effervescence

carboxylic acids + alkali

ethanoic acids + NaOH → sodium ethanoate + H₂O

=> neutralisation

=> carboxylic acids are weak acids

carboxylic acid + carbonates

CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → CH3COO^-Na⁺ + H₂O + CO₂

acid base reaction of carboxylic → make salt + water + carbon dioxide

esterification

Reagents: alcohol
Condition: concentrated sulfuric acid (catalyst)

CH₃CH₂OH + CH₃COOH → CH₃CH₂COOCH₃ + H₂O

reduction

Reagents: LiAlH₄
ethanoic acid + 4[H] → ethanol + water

→ produce primary alcohol