CHEM - Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic Acids:

• A homologous series of organic compounds that contains a carboxyl group (—COOH)
• Carboxylic acids are weak acids.
• The carboxyl group is at the end of the carbon chain.
• The name of carboxylic acids ends in '—oic acid'.

Reactions with Metals and Metal Carbonates

Since carboxylic acids are weak acids, they donate protons (H⁺ ions) in a acid-base reaction.

1. Reaction with Metals

carboxylic acid + metal → salt + hydrogen

Example

2C₂H₅COOH + 2Na → 2NaC₂H₅COO + H₂ 

propanoic acid + sodium → sodium propanoate + hydrogen

2. Reaction with Metal Carbonates

carboxylic acid + metal carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide

Example

2CH₃COOH + MgCO₃ → Mg(CH₃COO)₂ + H₂O + CO₂ 

ethanoic acid + magnesium carbonate → magnesium acetate + water + carbon dioxide

Vinegar

• Vinegar is an aqueous solution of ethanoic acid.
• Vinegar is formed by microbial oxidation of ethanol.
  • C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CH₃COOH + H₂O

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