carboxylic acids

• in a dehydration reaction an molecule of water is lost from the alcohol for each alkene molecule formed
• alcohols are oxidised to become carboxylic acids using an oxidising agent. for example ethanol CH3CH2OH +[O] -- CH3COOH +H20
• solutions of carboxylic acids are similar to other acids. they dissolve in water and form acidic solutions, react with metals to form salt and hydrogen and react with bases to form salt and water, react with carbonates to form carbon dioxide, water and salt.
• the general formula for carboxylic acids is CnH2n+1COOH and the functional group is -COOH
• Methanoic acid HCOOH Butanoic acid C3H7COOH

  =O H H H =0

  H-C H-C-C-C-C

  -O-H H H H -O-H
• The reaction is slow so its heated to its boiling point for an hour and to avoid evaporation of substances a condenser is added above the flask to prevent volatile(how easily it vaporises)liquids from escaping
• e.g methanoic acid + magnesium -- magnesium methanoate+ hydrogen