Carboxylic Acids
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS are a class of organic compounds that contain the FUNCTIONAL GROUP -COOH.
This group is responsible for the characteristic properties and reactions of carboxylic acids.
The first four members of a HOMOLOGOUS SERIES of carboxylic acids are METHANOIC ACID (HCOOH), ETHANOIC ACID (CH₃COOH), PROPANOIC ACID (C₂H₅COOH), and BUTANOIC ACID (C₃H₇COOH).
Reactions Of Carboxylic Acids
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Reaction with Carbonates:
- Carboxylic acids react with CARBONATES to produce A SALT WITH WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE.
- Equation not required
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Dissolving In Water:
- Carboxylic acids DISSOLVE IN WATER, forming ACIDIC SOLUTIONS due to PARTIAL IONISATION of the -COOH group.
- They are considered WEAK ACIDS because they PARTIALLY DISSOCIATE in solution, meaning they have a pH of around 3-6.
- Equation not required
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Esterfication:
- ESTERS are organic compounds with the FUNCTIONAL GROUP -COO-
- CARBOXYLIC ACIDS react with ALCOHOLS in the PRESENCE OF AN ACID CATALYST to form AN ESTER AND WATER.
- For example, ETHANOIC ACID reacts with ETHANOL in the presence of a SULPHURIC ACID CATALYST to form ETHYL ETHANOATE and WATER.
