9. Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Flashcards
What is the functional group of carboxylic acids?
R - COOH
Are carboxylic acids weak or strong acids?
Weak
Why do carboxylic acids not fully dissociate in water?
As they are weak acids
What equations can be used to show how carboxylic acids do not fully dissociate in water?
- R-COOH + H2O ⇋ RCOO- + H3O⁺
* R-COOH ⇋ R-COO- + H⁺
How is a proton released in the equation R-COOH ⇋ R-COO- + H⁺?
The polarised C=O group attracts electrons away from the O-H group, weakening the OH bond enabling the proton to be released
Why do carboxylic acids dissociate in water, but alcohols do not?
In the carboxylic acid OH group the C=O group attracts electrons away, weakening the OH bond so a proton can be released - but there is no C=O group in an alcohol so there is nothing to weaken the OH bond
What are carboxylic acids produced by?
The oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes
What happens when ethanol is exposed to air?
It oxidises to ethanoic acid
Why can wine taste vinegary if left open?
The ethanol oxidises to ethanoic acid
Where is methanoic acid found naturally?
In an ant bite; it can cause irritation
Where is ethanedioic acid found naturally?
As a metal salt in rhubarb and gives it a sour taste
What is ethanedioic acid?
A poisonous white crystalline solid
Where is benzene carboxylic acid (benzoic acid) found?
Raspberries and some tree barks
How is benzoic acid used?
As a preservative and an antioxidant in numerous foods
How are carboxylic acids named?
Using the suffix -oic acid
What do carboxylic acids react with alkalis to form?
Water and carboxylate salts
In the reaction of carboxylic acids with alkalis, what happens in terms of hydrogen ions?
The acid donates a hydrogen ion (from -COOH) which is replaced by the metal in the alkali
Equation for ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide?
CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O
In the products from carboxylic acids with alkalis, what is the nature of the bond between the carboxylate ion and the metal?
Ionic
How are carboxylate salts named?
The prefix is the name of the metal and the suffix is -oate instead of -oic acid
What do carboxylic acids react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to form?
Salt, water and carbon dioxide
Are carbonates and hydrogen carbonates weak or strong bases?
Weak
What is a general equation for the reaction of carboxylic acids with sodium carbonates?
R-COOH + Na2CO3 → RCOO⁻⁻Na⁺ + CO2 + H2O
What is a general equation for the reaction of carboxylic acids with sodium hydrogencarbonates?
R-COOH + NaHCO3 → RCOO⁻⁻Na⁺ + CO2 + H2O
How does carboxylic acids being weak acids affect the rate of reaction with carbonates/hydrogen carbonates?
The reaction rate is slower than strong acids (e.g. HCl, H2SO4) - however still sufficient to produce CO2
In the reaction of carboxylic acids and carbonates/hydrogen carbonates, how can it be confirmed that the reactant is a carboxylic acid?
Presence of CO2 can be confirmed by passing gas through limewater
Describe the equipment used to test for carboxylic acids
A test tube containing HCl and calcium carbonate with a bung over the top attached via delivery tube to a test tube collecting CO2 in limewater
What do carboxylic acids react with alcohols to form?
An ester and water
What must be present for carboxylic acids to react with alcohols?
Concentrated sulphuric acid
What is esterification?
When carboxylic acids react with alcohols in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid
What do methanol and ethanoic acid react to form?
Methyl ethanoate
What does the H2SO4 act as in esterification?
A catalyst
What conditions is esterification carried out under?
Under reflux
When are esters produced?
In the reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols
What is the functional group for esters?
R1 - COO - R2
What are the names of esters based on?
The carboxylic acid and alcohol from which they are produced
What is the first component of the ester name derived from?
The number of carbons in the alcohol (ending with -yl)
What is the second component of the ester name derived from?
The number of carbons in the carboxylic acid (ending with -oate)
What reactants make methyl propanoate?
Methanol and propanoic acid
What is the reverse of esterification?
Hydrolysis of esters
What is the hydrolysis of esters?
The reverse of esterfication
What is produced in the hydrolysis of esters?
An acid and an alcohol
Why is hydrolysis of esters possible?
The carbonyl C is susceptible to nucleophilic attack
What does hydrolysis of esters involve, considering that esterification involves the removal of a water molecule?
The addition of a water molecule
What is the removal of a water molecule in esterification also known as?
Condensation reaction
Why is the hydrolysis of esters very slow?
Water is a poor nucleophile
What types of hydrolysis are there?
- acid-catalysed hydrolysis
* base-catalysed hydrolysis
What is acid-catalysed hydrolysis?
When an ester is hydrolysed by refluxing with acid
What acid is usually used in acid-catalysed hydrolysis?
Concentrated H2SO4 (or HCl)
What is the organic product of acid-catalysed hydrolysis of an ester?
The carboxylic acid
What is the general equation for acid-catalysed hydrolysis of esters?
R₁-COOR₂ + H₂O ⇋ R₁-COOH + R₂OH
What does base-catalysed hydrolysis of esters produce?
The salt of the carboxylic acid