Synthesis- Carboxylic Acids

Question 1

How can carboxylic acids be prepared?

Answer 1

• oxidising primary alcohols using acidified permanganate, acidified dichromate and hot copper(II) oxide
• oxidising aldehydes using acidified permanganate, acidified dichromate, Fehling’s solution and Tollens’ reagent
• hydrolysing nitriles, esters or amides

Question 2

Describe the formation of salts.

Answer 2

Reactions with metals or bases

Question 3

Describe the formation of esters.

Answer 3

Condensation reactions with alcohols to form esters in the presence of concentrated sulfuric or concentrated phosphoric acid

Question 4

Describe the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an amine

Answer 4

Forms alkylammonium salts that form
amides when heated

Question 5

Describe the formation of primary alcohols

Answer 5

React with lithium aluminium hydride