Carboxylic Acids Flashcards
What are carboxylic acids?
A homologous series of organic acids which has the carboxyl (-COOH) functional group
What is the general formula for carboxylic acids?
CnH2n+1COOH
What are the properties of carboxylic acids?
Soluble in water
Relatively high melting and boiling points ; liquids at room temp
Weak acids due to the presence of Low concentration of H+ ions in its aqueous solutions
Partially dissociates in water to form (acid - H+ ion) + H+ ion
What reactions do carboxylic acids undergo?
Reacts with metal to form organic salts and hydrogen gas
Reacts with carbonates to form organic salts, carbonates and water
Reacts with bases to form organic salts and water only ( neutralisation)
Reacts with alcohols to form esters
What is an ester
A compound formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol
How is ethanoic acid produced?
- Oxidation by acidified potassium manganate (VII)
-> heating a mixture of ethanol and acidified potassium manganate (VI) and dilute sulfuric acid ; a redox reaction takes place
Ethanol + oxygen from oxidising agent -heat-> ethanoic acid + water
CH3CH2OH (aq) + 2[O] -heat-> CH3COOH (aq) + H2O (l) - oxidation by atmospheric oxygen
Ethanol + oxygen from air - bacteria -> ethanoic acid + water
What is the functional group of esters?
(-COO)
What is the catalyst required for esterification?
Concentrated sulfuric acid
How do we prepare esters?
By warming a carboxylic acid with alcohol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid (catalyst) under reflux conditions
What happens during the formation of an ester? (Chemical formula)
The -OH group from the acid is replaced by the ________ group from the alcohol ; the H from the alcohol is removed
How do you name ester?
Alcohol + yl + carboxylic acid + oate
What are the uses of esters
Used as solvents for cosmetics, perfumes and glues
Used in the preparation of artificial food flavour it’s
