carboxylic acids and esters Flashcards
why do carboxylic acids act as acids
because they can donate a proton
what do carboxylic acids undergo reactions with to form esters
alcohols
what is the general formula of esters
RCOOR
how are esters formed
carboxylic acid + alcohol
what does the formation of esters use
an acidic catalyst (conc H2SO4)
when an ester is formed from COOH and OH, what is the byproduct
water
what does hydrolysis mean
breaking bonds using water
acid catalysed hydrolysis
-esters can be hydrolysed at room temp using an acidic catalyst
base catalysed hydrolysis
REACTION GOES TO COMPLETION
-uses base such as warm, aqueous NaOH
-forms salt (ie sodium ethanoate)
-increases yield as equilibrium shifts to the right
-if COOH is desired product this method may not be appropriate as salt forms instead
uses of esters
-solvents
-plasticisers
-perfumes
-flavourings
uses of acid anhydrides
-cheaper
-less corrosive
-don’t react with water (aren’t hydrolysed as easily)
-produce a safer side product (COOH)