Carboxylic acids

• Carboxylic acids are a homologous series with the functional group -COOH
• Their names end in -anoic acid
• They react with carbonates to produce salt + water + carbon dioxide
• the salts formed end in -anoate
• carboxylic acids dissolve in water
• when they dissolve they ionise to produce a H+ ion
• because they don't ionise completely they form weakly acidic solutions meaning they have a higher pH
• Esters have a functional group -COO
• esters are formed from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid
• an acid catalyst is usually used when making esters
• sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst when making esters
• esters have a pleasant smell so are often used in foods
• Ethanol + Ethanoic acid ———> Ethyl Ethanoate (an ester)
• Carboxylic acids are formed when you react an alcohol with an oxidising agent