carboxylic acids

• functional group cooh
• when carboxylic acids dissolve in water

  • they are weak acids so partially ionise
  • when ethanoic acid is ionising it produces an ethanoate ion $^-$ and a H $^+$ ion
  • it is a reversible reaction
• carboxylic acids + metal carbonates

  • ethanoic acid + sodium carbonate
  • salt : sodium ethanoate $^-$
  • carbon dioxide and water
• carboxylic acids + alcohol

  • ethanoic acid + ethanol
  • produces : ester - ethyl ethanoate
  • reversible reaction
  • requires sufuric acid catalyst
• structural formula

  • c $_n$ H $_{2n\ +\ 1}$ COOH