Carboxylic Acid

• Carboxylic acids react with carbonates to form a salt, carbon dioxide and water.
• Method:

  1. Add 2cm3 of the solution that you want to test to a test tube.
  2. Add 1 small spatula of solid sodium carbonate (or 2cm3 of sodium carbonate solution).
  3. If the solution begins to fizz, bubble the gas that is produces through some limewater in the second test tube.
• Results:

  • Carboxylic acid - the solution will fizz, the carbon dioxide gas that is produced will turn the limewater cloudy.