Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 15.4.3
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.
%207.2.4.2%20-%20ethanol%20%2B%20ethanoic%20acid%20(1)-min,w_800.png)
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
Metals
- When carboxylic acids react with reactive metals, they form hydrogen and a salt.
Test yourself on Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
What do carboxylic acids react with to produce esters?
What gas is produced when a carboxylic acid reacts with a carbonate, but not when it reacts with an alcohol?