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Carboxylic Acids.
What is a Carboxylic Acid?
Carboxylic
acids are organic molecules which form
an homologous series with
the general formula CnH2nO2.
Carboxylic acids are weak acids which
react in the same way
as dilute mineral
acids. They are named
(like hydrocarbons)
according to the number of
carbon atoms in the molecule.
| Methanoic acid HCOOH, has n=1. |
Butanoic acid C3H7COOH, has n=4. |
| Ethanoic acid CH3COOH, has n=2. |
Pentanoic acid C4H9COOH, has n=5. |
| Propanoic acid C2H5COOH, has n=3. |
Hexanoic acid C5H11COOH, has n=6. |
The COOH group is the functional group for carboxylic acids.
Below are links to the structural formulae of carboxylic acids.
Other examples of carboxylic
acids are
1. Aspirin - taken as a pain killer and to prevent blood clots
2. Citric Acid - found in oranges, lemons and some soft drinks
3. Tartaric Acid - used in baking powder for cooking
4. Vitamin C - called ascorbic
acid,
is found in fresh fruit and
vegetables.
The four acids
listed above are
examples of
acids that are solid
when they are pure.
Links Carboxylic Acids Revision Questions
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