Carboxylic acids

Question 1

What are carboxylic acids

Answer 1

• weak acids
• ionise only partially in aq soln
• hydrogen ions give carboxylic acids acidic properties

Question 2

Carboxylic acid rxns

Answer 2

1. Reactive metals
2. Carbonates
3. Bases
4. Alcohols (Esterification)

Question 3

Reaction with reactive metals

Answer 3

• sodium, potassium, magnesium
• salt and hydrogen
• e.g. ethanoic acid + sodium –> sodium ethanoate + H2

Question 4

Reaction with carbonates

Answer 4

• salt, water and CO2

Question 5

Reaction with bases

Answer 5

• salt and water

Question 6

Reaction with alcohols

Answer 6

• esterification

Question 7

Esterification

Answer 7

• acid warmed with alcohol
• presence of few drops of H2SO4 (catalyst)
• ester formed
• acid: C-O bond is broken
• alcohol: O-H bond is broken
• name of ester : (alcohol)(carboxylic acid)