7.2.6

Carboxylic Acids

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Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids have the following properties:

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Functional group

  • The functional group of carboxylic acids is a carboxyl group (-COOH).
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General formula

  • The general formula for the homologous series of carboxylic acids is CnH2n+1COOH.
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Partially ionise in water

  • Carboxylic acids only partially ionise (form an ion) in water, meaning they are weak acids.

The 4 Smallest Carboxylic Acids

The smallest 4 carboxylic acids, in ascending (increasing) order are:

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Methanoic acid

  • Methanoic acid has the formula HCOOH.
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Ethanoic acid

  • Ethanoic acid has the formula CH3COOH.
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Propanoic acid

  • Propanoic acid has the formula CH3CH2COOH.
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Butanoic acid

  • Butanoic acid has the formula CH3CH2CH2COOH.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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