GCSE Chemistry (AQA)

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Carboxylic Acid Names & Formulae

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Organic chemistry Reactions of alkenes and alcohols

Carboxylic Acid Names & Formulae

5:30 Carboxylic Acids: Structure, Formula, and Reactions
Spec 4.7.2.4
Previous Fermentation Next Reactions of Carboxylic acids
  • Carboxylic acids are a homologous series with the functional group COOH.
  • A homologous series is a family of compounds with the same general formula, functional group, and similar chemical reactions.
  • Carboxylic acids can be made by reacting an alcohol with an oxidizing agent.
  • The carbon bonded to the OH group forms a double bond with another oxygen atom, creating the carboxylic acid functional group.
  • This functional group determines the properties of the molecule.
  • Carboxylic acids are joined to a hydrocarbon chain, often represented by the letter R.
  • Familiarity with the first four carboxylic acids is important for exams.
  • Prefixes like meth and eth indicate the number of carbons in the compound, while the suffix "oic acid" denotes carboxylic acids.
  • In molecular formulas, COOH is written separately to highlight the carboxylic acid group.
  • Ethanoic acid, commonly known as vinegar, is a familiar carboxylic acid with two carbons.
  • Carboxylic acids can be represented by different formulas, including molecular and structural formulas.
  • Structural formulas show all atoms and bonds in the molecule.
  • Methanoic acid has one carbon, ethanoic acid has two, propanoic acid has three, and butanoic acid has four carbons.
  • Semi-structural or condensed structural formulas show the order of bonded atoms without drawing all bonds.
  • Methanoic acid is written as H-C-O-O-H, ethanoic acid as CH3COOH, propanoic acid as CH3CH2COOH, and butanoic acid as CH3CH2CH2COOH.
  • Larger acids have more CH2 groups.
  • Recognizing and understanding condensed structural formulas is important for exams.

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