Carboxylic Acids Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is the functional group of the carboxylic acids?

−COOH-COOH

Name the first four members of the homologous series of carboxylic acids.

Methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid

What is formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with a carbonate?

A salt, water and carbon dioxide (seen as fizzing).

What happens when a carboxylic acid dissolves in water?

It ionises to form an acidic solution (pH less than 7).

What is formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, and what is needed?

An ester, using an acid catalyst.

e.g. ethanoic acid + ethanol →\rightarrow ethyl ethanoate

True or false? Both alcohols and carboxylic acids form acidic solutions when added to water.

False. Carboxylic acid solutions are acidic, but alcohols dissolve to give neutral solutions.