C3.6.1/2/3 Alcohols, Carboxylic acids, Esters Flashcards
What is the functional group that all alcohols contain?
–OH
What is a homologous series?
A familly of compounds that share the same functional group and therefore have similar properties.
What are the first 3 alcohols in the homologous series?
Methanol
Ethanol
Propanol
Why are the first 3 alcohols useful as fuels?
They are highly flammable.
Give 2 uses of the first three alcohols.
Fuel
Solvent (pens, deodorants)
Alcoholic drinks
What alcohol would you find in alcoholic drinks?
Ethanol
Give 3 properties of methanol,
They dissolve in water to form a neutral solution
They react with sodium to produce hydrogen and a salt.
They burn in the air, releasing energy and producing carbon dioxide and water.
What is the functional group that all carboxylic acids contain?
–COOH
What are the first 3 carboxylic acids in the homologous series?
Methanoic acid
Ethanoic acid
Propanoic acid
What is vinegar?
An aqueous solution containing ethanoic acid.
How is ethanoic acid formed?
By the mild oxidation of the ethanol:
Chemical oxidising agents
Microbial action (fermentation)
Give 3 properties of carboxylic acids.
They dissolve in water to produce acidic solutions
They react with carbonates to produce carbon dioxide and a salt and water.
They react with alcohols, in the presence of an acid catalyst, to form esters.
Why do carboxylic acids not fully ionise when they are dissolved in water?
Because carboxylic acids are weak acids.
What is the functional group that all esters contain?
–COO–
Give 2 properties of esters.
They are highly volatile (vapourise easily)
They have distinctive smells
