General Formula: CnH2n+1COOH, n = 0, 1, 2, …..
Functional Group:
Carboxyl
First 3 Members:
- Carboxylic Acids are weak acid.
- The functional group of carboxylic acids is carboxyl group.
- When dissolve in water, the carboxyl group will ionise to produce a hydrogen ion.
Naming Carboxylic Acids
- All carboxylic acid names end with the suffix ‘oic’. For example, methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid.
- The carboxylic acid is named by replace the ending “ane” from the name of alkane with “anoic acid”.
- Unlike alcohol, the position of the functional group (the carboxyl group) need not be stated in the name of carboxylic acid.
Example
| Number of Carbon | Name of Alkane | Name of Carboxylic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | methane | methanoic acid |
| 2 | ethane | ethanoic acid |
| 3 | propane | propanoic acid |
| 4 | butane | butanoic acid |
| 5 | pentane | pentanoic acid |
| 6 | hexane | hexanoic acid |