Carboxylic Acids as Weak Acids

AQA A-level ChemistryCarboxylic Acids and DerivativesLesson 3 of 16

Carboxylic acids are weak acids: they only partially dissociate in water, releasing a small proportion of their H⁺ ions. For ethanoic acid:

CH₃COOH ⇌ CH₃COO⁻ + H⁺

The position of equilibrium lies well to the left, so most molecules stay undissociated. The anion formed is a carboxylate ion; CH₃COO⁻ is the ethanoate ion.

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Key terms in this lesson

acid dissociation constant: The equilibrium constant, given the symbol Ka, for the dissociation of a weak acid into its ions in aqueous solution.

Carboxylic Acids as Weak Acids

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