Chemistry- Carboxylic acids and derivatives

List the different ways COOHs can be synthesised

1) oxidation of primary alcohol/aldehyde

2) Hydrolysis of ester

3) Hydrolysis of nitrile

describe the reaction of the hydrolysis of a nitrile

• the triple bond between C and N can be easily hydrolysed

• using acid or alkali

• refluxing nitrile with acid/alkali then acidify it

• H2O used to hydrolyse the triple bond

draw the general reaction of the hydrolysis of nitrile

refer to cheat sheet

list of reactions of COOHs

1- COOH + metal —> salt and H

2- COOH + alkali —> salt and H2O

3- COOH + carbonate —> CO2 + H2O + salt

4- COOH + alcohol —> ester

5- COOH + [H] —> primary alcohol + H2O

describe the acidity of COOHs

• when dissolved in water, they donate a proton to create acidic solution

draw the reaction of COOHs dissolving in water

refer to cheat sheet

what reagent does the reduction of a COOH require

LiAlH4

what is esterification

the reaction of a COOH with an alcohol to produce ester and small molecule

what reaction is esterification

condensation

what are the conditions and reaction for a general esterification of COOH

• strong acid and heat under reflux

• refer to cheat sheet for general reaction

describe the conditions of hydrolysis of esters

• can happen by dilute acid/alkali

• reversible by acid, irreversible by alkali

• heated under reflux with dilute acid

draw the hydrolysis of an ester (ethyl propanoate) using a dilute acid

refer to cheat sheet

draw the hydrolysis of ester (ethyl propanoate) using alkali

refer to cheat sheet