Organic ChemistryTopic Summary
Topic Summary: Carboxylic Acids
Part of Carboxylic Acids — GCSE Chemistry
This topic summary covers Topic Summary: 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 14 of 14 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 14 of 14
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
Topic Summary: Carboxylic Acids
Key Terms
- Functional group — -COOH (carboxyl)
- Weak acid — partially dissociates
- General formula — CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH
- Formation — oxidise alcohols
First Four Acids
- Methanoic acid — HCOOH (ants)
- Ethanoic acid — CH₃COOH (vinegar)
- Propanoic acid — C₂H₅COOH
- Butanoic acid — C₃H₇COOH (butter)
Key Reactions
- + Metal → salt + H₂
- + Carbonate → salt + H₂O + CO₂ (test!)
- + Alkali → salt + H₂O
- + Alcohol → ester + H₂O (reversible)
Exam Checklist
- Weak acid = partial dissociation, ⇌ symbol
- Carbonate test: fizzing → CO₂ → milky limewater
- Ester formation uses ⇌ (reversible)
- Naming: -anoic acid suffix