BRAINCAKECarboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids contain the carboxyl group, COOH. The carboxyl carbon has a C=O bond and an O-H bond. The general formula is RCOOH, e.g. ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, the acid in vinegar.
Making them: carboxylic acids are made by oxidising primary alcohols or aldehydes with acidified potassium dichromate(VI), heating under reflux.
Hydrogen bonding: the carboxyl group has a polar O-H bond and a polar C=O bond, so carboxylic acid molecules hydrogen bond strongly to each other. This gives them high boiling points, higher than alkanes and aldehydes of similar Mr.
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More in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Naming Carboxylic Acids
- Carboxylic Acids as Weak Acids
- Reaction with Carbonates
- Esterification
- Naming Esters
- Uses of Esters
- Hydrolysis of Esters
- Vegetable Oils and Fats
All 16 lessons in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives · All AQA A-level Chemistry topics