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Carboxylic Acids

Reactions with alcohols, phosphorus pentachloride and lithal

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 1

Overview

Conditions used for esterifying a carboxylic acid with an alcohol, ester formed from propanoic acid and methanol and smell of a typical short-chain ester.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Name the class of compound formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol.

Key term

State the conditions used for esterifying a carboxylic acid with an alcohol.

Key term

Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with ethanol.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name the class of compound formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol.

    Model answer

    An ester is formed.

  2. 2

    State the conditions used for esterifying a carboxylic acid with an alcohol.

    Model answer

    The two are heated under reflux with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid as catalyst.

  3. 3

    Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with ethanol.

    Model answer

    The equation is CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O.

  4. 4

    Name the ester formed from propanoic acid and methanol.

    Model answer

    The ester is methyl propanoate.

  5. 5

    Describe the smell of a typical short-chain ester.

    Model answer

    It has a sweet fruity smell, which is why esters are used as flavourings and perfumes.

  6. 6

    State the role of the concentrated sulfuric acid in an esterification.

    Model answer

    It acts as a catalyst and also removes water, which shifts the equilibrium towards the ester.

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