Carboxylic acids and esters Flashcards
What type of acids are carboxylic acids
Weak acids
Solubility of carboxylic acids
Small chain carboxylic acids are soluble in water, can form h bonds
What does reacting carboxylic acid with alcohol produce + conditions + name of reaction?
An ester + water, uses strong acid catalyst and reflux
Esterification (condensation reaction)
Use of esters + characteristics
Used in food flavourings and perfume, sweet smelling compounds.
Low bp and good solvent
How are triglyceride esters formed
Glycerol undergoes esterification
What comes first when naming an ester
Alcohol
“Ester always puts her alcohol first”
eg.
Methanol + ethanoic acid –> Methyl ethanoate + water
How do you make an alcohol out of an ester?
Hydrolysis
Ester + water –> Alcohol + carboxylic acid
Can be done under different conditions for different results
Hydrolysis of ester under alkaline conditions (NaOH)+ what is process called and used for
Ester + NAOH –> Carboxylate salt + Alcohol
Saponification
Used as soaps due to hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties
Use of glycerol
Cosmetics
Solvent in medicines
Solvent in food
Used to plasticise material
