- 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
This key facts covers Key Facts Summary within Carboxylic Acids for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Carboxylic Acids in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 22 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 10 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Carboxylic Acids
What is the functional group present in all carboxylic acids?
Explain why carboxylic acids are described as weak acids.
Quick recall flashcards
What is the formula of ethanoic acid?
CH₃COOH
What are carboxylic acids?
Organic compounds containing the -COOH carboxyl functional group