carboxylic acids

• reaction with Na2CO3 observations

  Effervescence

  2RCOONa + CO2 + H2O

  
• NaOH

  RCOONa + H2O

  heat is released

  
• ammonia

  RCOOR + NH3 --> RCOONH4
• alcohol, esterification


  Conditions: Conc Sulfuric acid, catalyst heat under reflux (ethylethanoate distil)

  ! reversible !

  
• PCl5

  Conditions: dry sample of RCOOH (PCl5 reacts with water), fume cupboard, pungent smelling gas produced (HCl)

  Observations: heat produced, misty steamy funes (HCl)

  RCOOH + PCl5 --> RCOCl + POCL3 + HCl

  
• Lithal LiAlH4


  CH3COOH + 4[H] --> CH3CH2OH + H2O

  dry ether

  heat under reflux

  distil off aldehyde as it forms if required