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Year 11 - Science

Carboxylic acids and esters

Organic chemistry

Unit Summary

This unit covers identifying functional groups, naming and drawing structural formulae, and predicting reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. It explains addition and condensation polymerisation and discusses natural polymers like DNA, sugars, and amino acids.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the structure of the first four carboxylic acids, and recognise and describe reactions where carboxylic acids are involved.

Key Notes

  • Carboxylic acids have a -COOH functional group.
  • Carboxylic acids are weak acids.
  • When ethanol is oxidised, ethanoic acid is formed.
  • Carboxylic acids react with carbonates to produce a metal salt, carbon dioxide and water.
  • Carboxylic acid can react with alcohol to produce esters (such as ethyl ethanoate).

Vocabulary To Learn

  • carboxylic acids: Carboxylic acids are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -COOH functional group.
  • weak acids: Weak acids partially dissociate to form Hᐩ ions in solution.
  • carbonate: A carbonate is a compound containing the CO₃²ᐨ ion. An example is calcium carbonate CaCO₃.
  • esters: Esters are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -COO- functional group.
  • ethyl ethanoate: Ethyl ethanoate is an ester produced from the alcohol ethanol and the carboxylic acid ethanoic acid.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Confusing the concentration and strength of acids.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Carboxylic acids have a -COOH functional group. Carboxylic acids are weak acids.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'carboxylic acids'

Carboxylic acids are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -COOH functional group. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Confusing the concentration and strength of acids. Correction: Clearly define a strong and weak acid.

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