Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives: Carboxylic Acids and Esters - Carboxylic Acids

Question 1

What functional group do carboxylic acids have?

Answer 1

• Contain carboxyl functional group

- -COOH

Question 2

What is the suffix for carboxylic acids? Why is there no prefix?

Answer 2

• Suffix is -oic acid

- Highest priority

Question 3

Are carboxylic acids, weak or strong acids? Do they fully dissociate in water?

Answer 3

• Weak acids
• In water, they partially dissociate into a carboxylate ion and an H+ ion
• RCOOH ⇌ RCOO- + H+
• Equilibrium lies to the left because most molecules don’t dissociate

Question 4

How do carboxylic acids react with carbonates?

Answer 4

• Carboxylic acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide

Question 5

Give the formula of a carbonate

Answer 5

• CO3^2-

Question 6

How do carboxylic acids react with hydrogen carbonates?

Answer 6

• Same as carbonates

- Carboxylic acid + hydrogen carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide

Question 7

What is the reaction of alcohols with carboxylic acids in the presence of a strong acid called?

Answer 7

• Esterification

- Produces an ester

Question 8

Give a general word equation for the reaction of carboxylic acids react with an alcohol in the presence of a strong acid

Answer 8

• Carboxylic acid + alcohol ⇌ ester + water

- On top of ⇌ there’s H+ ion catalyst and reflux

Question 9

Give a general symbol equation for esterification (with double bonds)

Answer 9

• RCO=OH + ROH ⇌ RCO=OR +H2O

- On top of ⇌ there’s H+ ion catalyst and reflux

Question 10

What conditions are needed for esterification?

Answer 10

• Acid catalyst

- Reflux

Question 11

What acid catalysts can be used for esterification?

Answer 11

• Strong acids
• Concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
• Concentrated hydrogen chloride (HCl)
• Concentrated phosphoric acid (H3PO4)