Carboxylic acids Flashcards
Physical properties of carboxylic acids and derivatives
Structure: Simple molecular structure
1. Higher BP than alkenes (hydrogen bond between carboxylic acid molecules > idid)
2. BP increases down the group
3. Higher BP than alcohols with same alkyl chain
( Alcohols have electron withdrawing carbonyl group –> -OH group more polarised –> carboxylic acid forms stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonds than alcohols –> more energy needed )
4. Higher BP than acyl chlorides and esters
(Hydrogen bond vs pdpd)
5. Soluble in water
6. Insoluble in organic solvents
Structure and bonding of acyl chlorides and esters
For both:
Bonding: pdpd
Structure: simple molecular structure
Synthesis of carboxylic acid
- oxidative cleavage of alkenes
- oxidation of primary alcohols
- oxidation of aldehydes
- acidic hydrolysis of nitriles
- hydrolysis of acyl chlorides
- hydrolysis of esters
- hydrolysis of amides
- side-chain oxidation to give benzoic acid
oxidative cleavage of alkenes
Hot KMnO4, H2SO4(aq)
oxidation of aldehyde
K2Cr2O7/KMnO4, H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
oxidation of primary alcohol
K2Cr2O7/KMnO4,H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
Side-chain oxidation to give benzoic acid
KMnO4, H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
–> white ppt of benzoic acid
Acidic hydrolysis of nitriles
HCl/H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
Hydrolysis of amides
(Synthesis of carboxylic acids)
H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
Hydrolysis of acyl chlorides
H2O(l), rtp (milder conditions because acyl chlorides are very reactive)
Hydrolysis of esters
HCl/H2SO4(aq), heat under reflux
Reactions of carboxylic acids
- condensation to form esters
- nucleophilic substitution to form acyl chlorides
- redox (acid-metal)
- Acid-base
- Acid-carbonate
- oxidation of ethanedioic acid
- oxidation of methanoic acid
- reduction to form alcohols
Condensation to form esters
(carboxylic acid)
alcohol, concentrated H2SO4, heat under reflux
Nucleophilic substitution to form acyl chloride
(carboxylic acid)
PCl5, room temperature OR
PCl3, heat under reflux OR
SOCl2, heat under reflux
Redox (acid-metal)
(carboxylic acid)
Na(s) ,produce H2 gas
OH –> O-Na+