Carboxylic Acids | Chemistry for Grade 11 (IGCSE) PDF Download

Carboxylic Acids

• Carboxylic acids, such as ethanoic acid, exhibit typical acid behavior
• When reacting with metals, carboxylic acids form salts along with hydrogen gas
• Interaction with carbonates leads to the formation of salts, water, and carbon dioxide gas
• Neutralization reactions involving carboxylic acids result in the production of salt and water
• Ethanoic acid, known as acetic acid, is essential in vinegar production, comprising approximately 5% of the solution
• Salts derived from carboxylic acids typically end with the suffix "-anoate"
• For instance, methanoic acid produces methanoate salt, while ethanoic acid yields ethanoate salt

Example reactions of carboxylic acids

• Ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium to form magnesium ethanoate and hydrogen gas:
  2CH₃COOH + Mg → (CH₃COO)₂Mg + H₂
• When hydroxides react with carboxylic acids, a neutralisation reaction occurs, producing salt and water:
• For instance, potassium hydroxide and propanoic acid yield potassium propanoate and water:
  CH₃CH₂COOH + KOH → CH₃CH₂COOK + H₂O
• In reactions with carbonates, a metal salt, water, and carbon dioxide are produced:
• For example, potassium carbonate and butanoic acid yield potassium butanoate along with water and carbon dioxide:
  2CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH + K₂CO₃ → 2CH₃CH₂CH₂COOK + H₂O + CO₂