Organic 9: Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Flashcards
How do you name carboxylic acid compounds?
Suffix is -oic acid
Carboxylic acid is always the root of the name
E.g. benzene carboxylic acid
Describe the solubility of carboxylic acids.
Short chains are completely soluble in water
Because they are able to form hydrogen bonds to water molecules
Long chains are insoluble because the non-polar region predominates
Describe the melting points of carboxylic acids.
Much higher than alkanes of similar molecular mass
Because of much stronger intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonds between molecules)
How can you identify the melting points of carboxylic acids?
Using a Thiele tube
Describe the main physical characteristic of carboxylic acids.
They have very characteristic smells
E.g. ethanoic acid is vinegar, butanoic acid smells like rancid butter
What are esters?
Derived from carboxylic acids
The OH group is replaced with a hydrocarbon group (alkyl or aryl)
How do you name esters?
The first part of the name comes from the alcohol group: methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc
The second part of the name comes from the carboxylic acid: methanoate, ethanoate, propanoate, etc
Describe the physical characteristics of short chain esters.
Fairy volatile
Have fruity, pleasant smells
Often used in flavourings and perfumes
Can be used as solvents and plasticisers
Generally insoluble in water
Describe the physical characteristics of longer chain esters.
Fats and oils
Insoluble in water
How are esters formed?
Carboxylic acid + alcohol –> ester + water
Catalysed by strong acid catalyst (e.g. sulfuric acid)
Reversible reaction
Equilibrium mixture of reactants and products
Write an equation for the esterification reaction of ethanoic acid and ethanol.
CH3COOH + C2H5OH –> CH3COOC2H5 + H2O
Describe acid hydrolysis of esters.
Ester is refluxed with water and a strong, dilute acid catalyst usually hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid
Reversible reaction
Lots of water must be added to push equilibrium to the right
Ester + water –> carboxylic acid + alcohol
Describe base hydrolysis of esters.
Ester + dilute alkali –> carboxylate ion + alcohol
(reflux)
Produces a negatively charged carboxylate ion which bonds with a positively charged ion from the base used, forming a salt
What is the mechanism for base hydrolysis?
Nucleophilic addition-elimination
What are triglycerides?
Glycerol (propane 1,2,3 triol)
And 3 fatty acids
How are triglycerides hydrolysed?
In acidic conditions to give a mixture of glycerol and fatty acids
By boiling with sodium hydroxide to produce glycerol and a mixture of sodium salts (soaps)