Carboxylic acids

Question 1

Functional group in a carboxylic acid

Answer 1

Carboxyl (-COOH)

Question 2

General formula for carboxylic acids

Answer 2

CnH2n+1COOH

Question 3

State the reactions that carboxylic acids can have with bases

Answer 3

• When reacted with bases, carboxylic acid takes part in a neutralisation reaction, producing a salt and water.
• a metal oxide + a carboxylic acid → a salt + water
• metal hydroxide + a carboxylic acid → a salt + water
• metal carbonate + a carboxylic acid → a salt + water + carbon dioxide
• When long chained fatty acids are used, soap is produced.

Question 4

Name the salt produced from the reactions of carboxylic acids with bases

Answer 4

1. The first part of the name is the metal from the alkali.
2. The second part comes from the acid:
   * Hydrochloric acid - … chloride
   * Sulfuric acid - … sulphate
   * Nitric acid - … nitrate