Carboxylic acids

Carboxylic acids are made from…

Reacting an alcohol with an oxidising agent

Carboxylic acids all have the same __, making them a __

• Functional group

• Homologous series

What is the functional group for carboxylic acids?

A carbon double bonded to an oxygen. The carbon is also single bonded to an oxygen which is single bonded to a hydrogen.

What are the 3 reactions/processes to know?

• Dissolving in water

• Reacting with metal carbonates

• Reacting with alcohols

Carboxylic acids are __ in water

Soluble

What is formed when a carboxylic acid dissolves in water?

H+ ions. This means they have ionised.

What happens to the pH of the solution?

It becomes weakly acidic.

What is the formula for a carboxylic acid reacting with a metal carbonate?

Carboxylic acid + metal carbonate = salt + carbon dioxide + water

Ethanoic acid + sodium carbonate =

Sodium ethanoate + carbon dioxide + water

Propanoic acid + potassium carbonate =

Potassium propanoate + carbon dioxide + water

What is the formula for a carboxylic acid reacting with an alcohol?

Carboxylic acid + alcohol = ester + water

Ethanoic acid + ethanol =

Ethyl ethanoate + water

What is needed for a carboxylic acid to react with an alcohol?

Sulfuric acid catalyst