This key facts covers Key Facts Summary within Carboxylic Acids for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Carboxylic Acids in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 9 of 14 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 9 of 14
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
📌 Key Facts Summary
- Functional group: -COOH (carboxyl group)
- General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH or CₙH₂ₙO₂
- First four: Methanoic (HCOOH), Ethanoic (CH₃COOH), Propanoic (C₂H₅COOH), Butanoic (C₃H₇COOH)
- Acidity: Weak acids, pH 2-5, partially dissociate in water
- Formation: Oxidation of primary alcohols
- Test: React with carbonates to produce CO₂ (fizzing)
- Reactions: React with metals, carbonates, bases, and alcohols (ester formation)
- Comparison: Weaker and less corrosive than mineral acids