Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters Flashcards
What is the general formula for an alcohol
Cn H2n+1 OH
What is the functional group of alcohols?
-OH
What similar properties do the first three alcohols have?
They are flammable and burn in air to produce carbon dioxide and water,
Dissolve completely in water to form neutral solutions,
They react with sodium to give hydrogen and alkoxides.
Why are alcohols used as solvents and what are they used in?
They can dissolve substances that water can’t dissolve like hydrocarbons, oils and fats, which make them useful solvents in industry.
Ethanol is the solvent for perfumes and aftershave lotions
What’s the functional group for carboxylic acids?
-COOH
What do carboxylic acids end in?
-anoic acid
E.g. Ethanoic acid
What is the equation for carboxylic acids reacting with carbonates?
Ethanoic acid + sodium carbonate –> carbon dioxide + sodium ethanoate + water
Why are carboxylic acids weakly acidic?
Carboxylic acids dissolve in water to produce acidic solutions,
They are weakly acidic because they don’t ionise completely
How can you make ethanoic acid?
By oxidising ethanol
Ethanol + water –> ethanoic acid + water
How is carboxylic acids used in industry to make soaps and esters?
Carboxylic acids with longer chains of carbon atoms are used to make soaps and detergents.
They are used in the preparation of esters,
It’s a good solvent for many organic molecules
What is the functional group of an ester?
What do their names end in?
-COO-
Names end in -oate like ethyl ethanoate
How are esters formed?
They are formed from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
An acid catalyst is usually used.
What are the properties of esters?
They are volatile,
Flammable,
Don’t mix well with water,
Mix well with alcohols and other organic solvents
What are esters used in?
Used in perfumes
Make flavourings or aromas
Ointments
Solvents
