Carboxylic AcidsBy Joshua Hamlett

What are carboxylic acids?

Carboxylic acids are compounds with a –COOH group.

They can only be found at the end of a carbon chain.

They are acidic due to the hydrogen in the negative COOH.

When it forms a salt, however, the hydrogen is replaced by a metal.

How to name these acids.

There are two different ways to name the carboxylic acids.

You can use the common name. (Ex. Acetic acid) or you can use the IUPAC name which uses the suffix “oic” (Ex. Ethanoic acid)

To figure out the IUPAC name you count the number of carbons in the carbon chain. (Ex. 1 carbon=Methanoic acid, 3 carbons=Butanoic acid)

Properties of Carboxylic Acids.

Probably the most important property is the one responsible for their name, acidity.

Solubility is another property in these acids. (The solubility of these in water is similar to that of alcohol.)

The boiling point is much higher than that of hydrocarbons, alcohols, or ethers.

The unbranched acids that are liquid in room temperature have a very revolting smell.

Video about Carboxylic Acids

http://ko.mujica.org/science/organic-chemistry/carboxylic-acids-derivatives/naming-carboxylic-acids-sal/carboxylic-acid-naming.html

More about Carboxylic acids

They are organic molecules

React like dilute mineral acids

Are weak acids

Interesting facts about carboxylic acids! Microwave popcorn contains a type of carboxylic

acid called perflourooctanoic, and are very dangerous. The same acid is used for non-stick products that you use to cook!

It is also found in “virtually all junk food wrappers”

The more exposure to perflourooctanoic acid can cause an increase for the likelihood of thyroid disease in children.

Pictures of stuff containing carboxylic acids

Examples of carboxylic acids

1. Aspirin

2. Citric Acid

3. Tartaric Acid

4. Vitamin C

Quiz!!

1.) What is the system for naming carboxylic acids?

A. IWLT

B. IUPAC

C. IUPUC

2.) What replaces the hydrogen when the acid forms a salt?

A. noble gas

B. metal

C. Another nonmetal

Quiz continued!

3.) What vitamin is an example of carboxylic acids?

A. Vitamin D

B. Vitamin E

C. Vitamin C

4.) What suffix do you use when naming these acids?

A. “oic”

B. “ate”

C. “ous”

Quiz cont.!

5.) Which of these is NOT a name for a carboxylic acid?

A. Butanoic

B. Ethanoic

C. Chlorate

D. Benzanoic

Works Cited

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/acids/background.html

https://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/crbacid1.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/95261/carboxylic-acid

http://www.gcsescience.com/o46.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/030480_microwave_popcorn_PFCAs.html

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2012/04/2012-0531-kids-high-pfoa-alters-thyroid/