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Organic Chemistry

Carboxylic acids

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

The –COOH functional group and the first four carboxylic acids, the formulae of ethanoic and methanoic acid, reactions with carbonates, water and alcohols to form esters, why carboxylic acids are weak acids with a higher pH than strong acids, the difference between weak and dilute, and naming their salts and esters.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is the functional group of the carboxylic acids?

Key term

Name the first four carboxylic acids in order of increasing number of carbon atoms.

Key term

Describe the arrangement of atoms in the –COOH group.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the functional group of the carboxylic acids?

    Model answer

    The –COOH group.

  2. 2

    A compound has the formula C₂H₅COOH. State which homologous series it belongs to and explain how you can tell.

    Model answer

    It is a carboxylic acid, because it contains the –COOH functional group.

  3. 3

    Name the first four carboxylic acids in order of increasing number of carbon atoms.

    Model answer

    Methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid.

  4. 4

    Which carboxylic acid gives vinegar its sharp taste and smell?

    Model answer

    Ethanoic acid.

  5. 5

    Describe the arrangement of atoms in the –COOH group.

    Model answer

    A carbon atom is double bonded to one oxygen atom and single bonded to a second oxygen atom, which itself carries a hydrogen atom.

  6. 6

    Give the formula of ethanoic acid written so that its functional group is shown.

    Model answer

    CH₃COOH.

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