carboxylic acids and esters

Question 1

why do carboxylic acids act as acids

Answer 1

because they can donate a proton

Question 2

what do carboxylic acids undergo reactions with to form esters

Answer 2

alcohols

Question 3

what is the general formula of esters

Answer 3

RCOOR

Question 4

how are esters formed

Answer 4

carboxylic acid + alcohol

Question 5

what does the formation of esters use

Answer 5

an acidic catalyst (conc H2SO4)

Question 6

when an ester is formed from COOH and OH, what is the byproduct

Answer 6

water

Question 7

what does hydrolysis mean

Answer 7

breaking bonds using water

Question 8

acid catalysed hydrolysis

Answer 8

-esters can be hydrolysed at room temp using an acidic catalyst

Question 9

base catalysed hydrolysis

Answer 9

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

Question 10

uses of esters

Answer 10

-solvents
-plasticisers
-perfumes
-flavourings

Question 11

uses of acid anhydrides

Answer 11

-cheaper
-less corrosive
-don’t react with water (aren’t hydrolysed as easily)
-produce a safer side product (COOH)