Carboxylic Acids

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video on carboxylic acids?

  The structures of the first four carboxylic acids, their behavior in water, and their reactions with metal carbonates and alcohols
• What is the significance of carboxylic acids being a homologous series?

  They all have the same functional group
• What is the carboxylic acid functional group represented by in the video?

  Green
• Why do scientists use structural formulas instead of displayed formulas?

  To simplify the representation of molecules
• What happens when carboxylic acids dissolve in water?

  They ionize to produce an ethanoate ion and H+
• Why are carboxylic acids considered weak acids?

  Because they only partially ionize in aqueous solution
• What is the pH comparison between carboxylic acids and strong acids like hydrochloric acid?

  Carboxylic acids have a higher pH than strong acids
• What are the key reactions of carboxylic acids?

  1. Reaction with metal carbonates

  • Produces salt, carbon dioxide, and water

  1. Reaction with alcohols

  • Produces an ester and water
• What is produced when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate?

  Sodium ethanoate, carbon dioxide, and water
• What is produced when propanoic acid reacts with potassium carbonate?

  Potassium propanoate, carbon dioxide, and water
• What is formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol?

  An ester and water
• What is the name of the ester produced from the reaction of ethanoic acid and ethanol?

  Ethy ethanoate
• What is required as a catalyst in the reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols?

  Sulfuric acid
• Why is the reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols considered reversible?


  Because the products can recombine to form the reactants
• What resources are available for further questions on carboxylic acids?

  • Vision workbook
  • Link provided in the video