EMILY

DUE
June
2016

Carboxylic
Acids
CHEMISTRY

NG
DATE:
29,

Carboxylic Acids
The carboxylic acids are a homologous series of organic
compounds.
They all contain the same functional group (-COOH)
The names of carboxylic acids end in -oic acid
General formula: CnH2n+1COOH

Carboxylic
acid

Molecular
formula

Structural formula

Methanoic
acid

HCOOH

HCOOH

Ethanoic
acid

CH3COOH

CH3COOH

Propanoic
acid

C2H5COOH

CH3CH2COOH

Butanoic
acid

C3H7COOH

CH3CH2CH2COOH

Full structural formula

Examples of isomers:

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Carboxylic acids are

colourless
taste sour

Uses of carboxylic acids

1. Methanoic acid found in nettle stings and some insects. It causes
irritation when it gets into your skin.
2. Ethanoic acid vinegar
3. Propanoic acid preservative for stored grains
4. Butanoic acid Sweat and butter

Physical Properties of carboxylic acids

1. High Boiling Points
Carboxylic acids tend to have higher boiling points than water
because of increasing surface area and tendency to form
stabilized dimers.
When boiling points increase, carbon atoms increase and
density increase.

Acid

Boiling point /C

Methanoic acid

101

Ethanoic acid

118

Propanoic acid

141

Butanoic acid

164

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2. Good conductor of electricity

Chemical Properties of Carboxylic Acids.

It is a weak acid
partially ionized in aqueous solution.
ethanoic acid

ethanoate ion + hydrogen ion

CH3COOH(aq)

CH3COO(aq) + H+(aq)

The hydrogen ions give carboxylic acids their acidic properties.

Salts of ethanoic acid are named by changing the -oic to -oate
1. Reaction with reactive metals
acid + metal salt + hydrogen
For example:
ethanoic acid + magnesium magnesium ethanoate + hydrogen
ethanoic acid + magnesium
2CH3COOH + Mg (CH3COO)2Mg + H2
2. Reaction with alkali
- Carboxylic acids are neutralised by alkalis
acid + soluble hydroxide salt + water
For example:
Ethanoic acid + sodium hydroxide salt + water

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CH3COOH + NaOH CH3COONa + H2O

3. Reaction with carbonate

- Carboxylic acids are neutralised by carbonates
acid + metal carbonate salt + water + carbon dioxide
For example:
Ethanoic acid + calcium carbonate calcium ethanoate + water +
carbon dioxide
2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2

Esters
-

Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to form compounds called esters.

The reaction is also called esterification.
Functional group of ester is:

Carboxylic acid + alcohol ester + water

For example:

Making an ester:

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Properties of esters
-

They are soluble in organic solvents

They are good solvents.
Colourless, volatile liquid to waxy liquids.
Strong odours
Solubility in water decrease as their chains have more carbon atoms.

Uses of esters
-

Food flavouring

Alcohol

Organic acid

Ester made

Smell of ester

Pentanol

Ethanoic acid

Pentyl ethanoate

Pears

Octanol

Ethanoic acid

Octyl ethanoate

Bananas

Pentanol

Butanoic acid

Pentyl butanoate

Strawberries

Menthanol

Butanoic acid

Menthyl butanoate

Pineapples

Perfumes
Cosmetics
Made into polymers called polyesters. used to make plastic bottles
made into fibres to make clothing

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Reference page:
- Chemistry textbook
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_edexcel/
organic_chemistry/organic_chemistry/revision/8/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid
- http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/acids/background.html

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