3.3.9: Carboxylic acids

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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Front (Question)

cWhat is the functional group of carboxylic acids? (1)

Back (Answer)

The functional group of carboxylic acids is -COOH

Front (Question)

How are carboxylic acids made? (2)

Back (Answer)

• Carboxylic acids are made by oxidising a primary alcohol to an aldehyde. • It is then further oxidised to form the carboxylic acid

Front (Question)

Write the general reaction for the oxidation of a primary alcohol to an aldehyde. (1)

Back (Answer)

RCH2OH + [O] → RCHO + H2O

Front (Question)

Provide an example of a primary alcohol being oxidized to an aldehyde. (1)

Back (Answer)

CH3CH2OH + [O] → CH3CHO + H2O

Front (Question)

Write the general reaction for the oxidation of an aldehyde to a carboxylic acid. (1)

Back (Answer)

RCHO + [O] → RCOOH

Front (Question)

Provide an example of an aldehyde being oxidised to a carboxylic acid. (1)

Back (Answer)

CH3CHO + [O] → CH3COOH

Front (Question)

Write the overall reaction for the formation of a carboxylic acid from a primary alcohol. (1)

Back (Answer)

CH3CH2OH + 2[O] → CH3COOH + H2O

Front (Question)

Draw the structure of 3-aminopropanoic acid (3)

Back (Answer)

Quizlet

Front (Question)

Draw the structure of but-2-enoic acid (3)

Back (Answer)

Quizlet

#10

Front (Question)

Why are carboxylic acids with a low molecular mass very soluble in water? (1)

Back (Answer)

The -COOH group forms hydrogen bonding with water

#11

Front (Question)

Why are carboxylic acids considered weak acids despite being very soluble in water? (1)

Back (Answer)

They are only slightly dissociated in water

#12

Front (Question)

Write the dissociation equation for ethanoic acid in water. (1)

Back (Answer)

CH3COOH (aq) ⇌ CH3COO⁻ (aq) + H⁺ (aq)

#13

Front (Question)

What is the role of the carbonyl group in the dissociation of a carboxylic acid in water? (2)

Back (Answer)

• The carbonyl group attracts electrons away from the -OH group • Weakening the bond and allowing it to release a proton

#14

Front (Question)

How does the addition of a halogen atom, such as chlorine, affect the acidity of a carboxylic acid? (3)

Back (Answer)

• The halogen atom withdraws electron density away from the carbonyl carbon • Making the O-H bond more polar and easier to break. • This increases the acid’s ability to release a hydrogen ion

#15

Front (Question)

Draw the structure of chloroethanoic acid (2)

Back (Answer)

Quizlet

#16

Front (Question)

How can you test for carboxylic acids using sodium carbonate? (2)

Back (Answer)

• React the carboxylic acid with sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) • Effervescence occurs due to the evolution of carbon dioxide gas

#17

Front (Question)

Write the balanced equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate. (1)

Back (Answer)

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COO⁻Na⁺ + CO₂ + H₂O

#18

Front (Question)

Why are ionic salts formed in the reaction between carboxylic acids and sodium carbonate? (2)

Back (Answer)

• The reaction forms carboxylate salts • Which are ionic and soluble in water.

#19

Front (Question)

What is the reaction called when carboxylic acids react with alcohols to form esters? (1)

Back (Answer)

Esterification

#20

Front (Question)

What are the products of an esterification reaction? (1)

Back (Answer)

An ester and water

#21

Front (Question)

What catalyst is used in the esterification reaction? (1)

Back (Answer)

Concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)

#22

Front (Question)

Give the general reaction equation for esterification. (1)

Back (Answer)

RCOOH + R’OH ⇌ RCOOR’ + H₂O

#23

Front (Question)

Draw and label the structure of an ester functional group (2)

Back (Answer)

quizlet

#24

Front (Question)

What is the functional group isomer of esters?

Back (Answer)

Carboxylic acid