Carboxylic acids

• What is the functional group in carboxylic acids?

  -COOH (carboxyl group)
• What are the first four members of the carboxylic acid homologous series?

  • Methanoic acid (HCOOH)
  • Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)
  • Propanoic acid (C2H5COOH)
  • Butanoic acid (C3H7COOH)
• What happens when carboxylic acids react with carbonates?

  They produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt
• What happens when carboxylic acids dissolve in water?

  They partially ionise, forming acidic solutions
• What happens when carboxylic acids react with alcohols?

  They form esters and water in a condensation reaction
• Why are carboxylic acids considered weak acids?

  They only partially ionise in water
• What is the pH of carboxylic acid solutions?

  Greater than 1 but less than 7
• How can you recognise carboxylic acids from their names?

  They end in "-oic acid"
• How can you recognise carboxylic acids from their formulae?

  They contain the -COOH functional group
• What is the general formula for carboxylic acids?

  CnH2n+1COOH
• What is the main use of carboxylic acids?

  Food preservation and ester production
• What is the name of the ester formed from ethanoic acid and ethanol?

  Ethyl ethanoate
• What gas is produced when carboxylic acids react with carbonates?

  Carbon dioxide
• What type of reaction occurs between carboxylic acids and alcohols?

  a condensation reaction
• What does partial ionisation mean for carboxylic acids?

  Only a small fraction release H+ ions
• Functional group:

  -COOH

  A) COOH