Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.2.11
Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids react in similar ways with different substances.
Carbonates
- When carboxylic acids react with carbonates, the products are:
- A salt
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
Water
- When carboxylic acids react with water, they dissolve to give solutions with an acidic pH.
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Alcohols (and an acid catalyst)
- When carboxylic acids and alcohols react together (using an acid catalyst), an ester and water are produced:
- E.g. Ethanoic acid + ethanol → ethyl ethanoate + water
Test yourself on Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
What is needed for carboxylic acids to react and produce esters?
What gas is produced when a carboxylic acid reacts with a carbonate, but not when it reacts with an alcohol?
Which substance needs an acid catalyst to react with a carboxylic acid?
How many carbon atoms are in one molecule of ethyl ethanoate, CH3COOC2H5?