Carboxylic Acid
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
A-Level
, Carboxylic Acid
General Formula:
Structure:
- Contains the carboxyl functional group COOH.
- Includes a carbonyl (C = O) group and a hydroxyl (O – H) group
- The bonds are in a planar arrangement
- Are isomeric with Esters :- RCOOR’
Physical Properties:
Solubility Boiling Point
- Acids are very soluble in organic solvents - Increases as size increases – increased
- Soluble in water due to hydrogen bonding van der Waals forces
- Small ones dissolve readily in cold water - C.A have high boiling points for their
- As mass increases, the solubility relative mass.
decreases - Arises from inter-molecular Hydrogen
- Benzoic acid is fairly insoluble in cold but bonding due to the polar O – H Bonds.
soluble in hot water. - Additional inter-molecular attractions =
more energy needed to separate the
molecules.
Chemical Properties
Acidity
- Weak monobasic acids
- Form salts with alkalis
The acid can be liberated from its salt by treatment with a stronger acid.
E,g.
Conversion of an acid to its water soluble salt followed by acidification of the salt to restore
the acid is often used to separate acids from a mixture.
C.A are strong enough acids to liberate CO2 from carbonates. Phenols are less acidic but are
strong enough to liberate CO2.
2
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
A-Level
, Carboxylic Acid
General Formula:
Structure:
- Contains the carboxyl functional group COOH.
- Includes a carbonyl (C = O) group and a hydroxyl (O – H) group
- The bonds are in a planar arrangement
- Are isomeric with Esters :- RCOOR’
Physical Properties:
Solubility Boiling Point
- Acids are very soluble in organic solvents - Increases as size increases – increased
- Soluble in water due to hydrogen bonding van der Waals forces
- Small ones dissolve readily in cold water - C.A have high boiling points for their
- As mass increases, the solubility relative mass.
decreases - Arises from inter-molecular Hydrogen
- Benzoic acid is fairly insoluble in cold but bonding due to the polar O – H Bonds.
soluble in hot water. - Additional inter-molecular attractions =
more energy needed to separate the
molecules.
Chemical Properties
Acidity
- Weak monobasic acids
- Form salts with alkalis
The acid can be liberated from its salt by treatment with a stronger acid.
E,g.
Conversion of an acid to its water soluble salt followed by acidification of the salt to restore
the acid is often used to separate acids from a mixture.
C.A are strong enough acids to liberate CO2 from carbonates. Phenols are less acidic but are
strong enough to liberate CO2.
2
