LOSS OF PROTONS

• HOW CAN A CARBOXYLIC ACID LOSE A PROTON?

  H from OH group lost

  -> forms carboxylate ion with a negative charge
• WHAT HAPPENS ONCE A CARBOXYLATE ION IS FORMED?

  • negative charge shared over whole carboxylate group
  • delocalisation leads to a more stable ion
• WHAT TYPE OF ACID ARE CARBOXYLIC ACIDS?

  weak
• DESPITE THE FACT THAT CARBOXYLIC ACIDS ARE WEAK ACIDS WHAT CAN THEY DO?

  react with NaHCO3 to produce CO2

  -> allowing it to be distinguished from other compounds with OH group
• REACTION OF ETHANOIC ACID AND NAHCO3?

  CH3COOH (aq) + NaHCO3 (aq) -> CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)