Organic Chemistry - Carboxylic Acids (Paper 2)

Question 1

what functional group do carboxylic acids contain?

Answer 1

-COOH

Question 2

what is the reaction between an aqueous solution of carboxylic acids with metals?

Answer 2

dilute carboxylic acids react with metals in the same way as other dilute acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid) only more slowly
for example:
magnesium + ethanoic acid → magnesium ethanoate + hydrogen

Question 3

what is the reaction between an aqueous solution of carboxylic acids with metal carbonates?

Answer 3

dilute carboxylic acids react with metal carbonates as they do with other acids, to give a salt, carbon dioxide and water
for example:
sodium carbonate + ethanoic acid → sodium ethanoate + carbon dioxide + water

Question 4

what is vinegar?

Answer 4

an aqueous solution containing ethanoic acid