Carboxylic acids

Question 1

homologous series of carboxylic acids

Answer 1

• same functional group
• similar chemical properties
• differ in the molecular formula of neighbouring members by CH[2]
• show a gradual variation in physical properties such as boiling points

Question 2

What do carboxylic acids have the typical properties of?

Answer 2

acids

Question 3

reaction of carboxylic acids with carbonates

Answer 3

reacts to produce a salt, water, and CO2

Question 4

reaction with (reactive) metals

Answer 4

produces a salt and hydrogen

Question 5

What happens to them in water?

Answer 5

dissolve to form an acidic solution (pH value less than 7)

Question 6

Why are carboxylic acids weak acids?

Answer 6

they only partially dissociate (reversible reaction) into ions when they dissolve in water

ethanoic acid ⇌ ethanoate ions + hydrogen ion

CH[3]COOH ⇌ CH[3]COO[-] + H[+] (weak/carboxylic acid)

HCl -> H[+] + Cl[-] (this is a strong acid because of the H[+])

Question 7

functional group of carboxylic acids

Answer 7

-COOH

Question 8

reaction with bases

Answer 8

forms a salt and water

Question 9

How do weak acids differ from strong acids?

Answer 9

at the same concentration, weak acids have a higher pH (are less acidic) than strong acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid)

Question 10

How are carboxylic acids formed?

Answer 10

through the oxidation of alcohols