3.16 Carboxylic Acids Flashcards
Carboxylic acids (5)
- Carboxylic acids are a homologous series of compounds that all have ‘-COOH’ as a functional group.
- Their names end in ‘-anoic acid’ (and start with the normal ‘meth/eth/prop/but’).
- Carboxylic acids take part in complete combustion reactions with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
- Carboxylic acids are weak acids that dissolve in water. When they dissolve, they partially ionise to release H+ ions and form acidic solutions.
- Carboxylic acids are used in foods, such as vinegar and food preservatives, as well as personal care products like soaps.
Carboxylic acids are weak. What does this mean?
They don’t fully ionise, which means that the carboxylic acid molecules don’t all release their hydrogen ions.
What do carboxylic acids form when they ionise?
Negative ions, which have names ending in ‘anoate’.
What will be produced when reacting carboxylic acid with metal carbonate?
A salt, water and carbon dioxide
How are carboxylic acids made?
By taking an alcohol (e.g. butanol) and oxidise it using an oxidising agent (which adds an oxygen) and we end up with a carboxylic acid (e.g. butanoic acid) as they both have 4 carbons.
Carboxylic acids are a ____________ series. They are basically ______ chains with a COOH group on one end.
homologous, alkane
What are the first four carboxylic acids?
- Methanoic Acid
- Ethanoic Acid
- Propanoic Acid
- Butanoic Acid
Which H+ ionises when carboxylic acids dissolve in water?
The H+ attached to the OH group
What are the 4 different reactions that carboxylic acids can have with metals?
1) Carboxylic acid + metal -> salt -> hydrogen
2) Carboxylic acid + metal oxide -> salt + water
3) Carboxylic acid + metal hydroxide -> salt + water
4) Carboxylic acid + metal carbonate -> salt + water + carbon dioxide
Butanol can be oxidised to a carboxylic acid. What will the carboxylic acid be called?
Butanoic acid
What is the general formula for carboxylic acids?
CnH2n+1COOH
