1. Reaction with Metals
2CH₃COOH + Mg → (CH₃COO)₂Mg + H₂
Ethanoic acid + Magnesium → Magnesium ethanoate + Hydrogen
Ethanoic acid + Magnesium → Magnesium ethanoate + Hydrogen
2. Reaction with Metal Carbonates (Fizzy Test!)
2CH₃COOH + CaCO₃ → (CH₃COO)₂Ca + H₂O + CO₂
React with carbonates to produce CO₂ — this is the test for carboxylic acids!
React with carbonates to produce CO₂ — this is the test for carboxylic acids!
3. Neutralisation with Bases/Alkalis
CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O
Ethanoic acid + Sodium hydroxide → Sodium ethanoate + Water
Ethanoic acid + Sodium hydroxide → Sodium ethanoate + Water
4. Formation of Esters (Esterification — with Alcohols)
CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O
Ethanoic acid + Ethanol ⇌ Ethyl ethanoate (ester) + Water
Ethanoic acid + Ethanol ⇌ Ethyl ethanoate (ester) + Water
This deep dive covers Reactions of Carboxylic Acids 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 6 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive 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