This deep dive covers Reactions of Carboxylic Acids 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 6 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 6 of 14
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
⚗️ Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
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 (with Alcohols)
CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O
Ethanoic acid + Ethanol → Ethyl ethanoate (ester) + Water
Ethanoic acid + Ethanol → Ethyl ethanoate (ester) + Water
Key Test: To identify a carboxylic acid, add sodium carbonate — if it fizzes and produces CO₂ (turns limewater milky), it's a carboxylic acid!