Carboxylic acids

• contains the carboxyl functional group - contains both a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group
• Where are carboxylic acids found?

  Medicines, fruit juices, vinegar ad rhubarb leaves
• Carboxylic acids and their derivatives are used in organic synthesis as staring materials or intermediates in the formation of more useful compounds. For example, the painkiller aspirin can be synthesised from salicylic acid.
• How do you name a carboxylic acid?

  Using the suffix "-oic acid" after the root name of the alkane chain.
• The carboxyl carbon atom is always?

  designated as carbon-1
• Are carboxylic acids soluble in water?

  Some.

  The C=O bond and O-H bonds in carboxylic acids are polar allowing carboxylic acids to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

  Carboxylic acids with up to 4 carbon atoms are soluble in water
• Why are carboxylic acids with more than 4 carbon atoms not soluble in water?

  As the number of carbon atoms increases, the solubility decreases as the non-polar carbon chain has a grater effect on the overall polarity of the molecule
• Are dicarboxylic acids soluble in water?

  They have 2 polar carboxyl groups to form hydrogen bonds. They are solids at room temperature and dissolve readily in water.
• Are carboxylic acids strong?

  No - they are classified as weak acids. When dissolved in water, carboxylic acids partially dissociate
• can Carboxylic acids can take place in REDOX and neutralisation reactions?

  Yes - redox with metals and neutralisation reactions with bases (alkalis, metal oxides, carbonates)

  In these reactions, carboxylic acids form carboxylate salts
• How is the carboxylate ion in the salt formed by redox and neutralisation reactions of carboxylic acids named?

  By changing the -ic acid ending of the carboxylic acid to -ate