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Carboxylic Acids.

What is a Carboxylic Acid?

Carboxylic acids are organic molecules which form
an homologous series with the general formula CnH2nO2.
Carboxylic acids are weak acids which react in the same way
as dilute mineral acids. They are named (like hydrocarbons)
according to the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

 

Methanoic acid
HCOOH, has n=1.
Butanoic acid
C3H7COOH, has n=4.
Ethanoic acid
CH3COOH, has n=2.
Pentanoic acid
C4H9COOH, has n=5.
Propanoic acid
C2H5COOH, has n=3.
Hexanoic acid
C5H11COOH, has n=6.

The COOH group is the functional group for carboxylic acids.

Below are links to the structural formulae of carboxylic acids.

Methanoic acid         Ethanoic acid

Propanoic acid          Butanoic acid


Other examples of
carboxylic acids are

1.  Aspirin - taken as a pain killer and to prevent blood clots

2.  Citric Acid - found in oranges, lemons and some soft drinks

3.  Tartaric Acid - used in baking powder for cooking

4.  Vitamin C - called ascorbic acid,
is found in fresh fruit and vegetables.

The four acids listed above are
examples of acids that are solid when they are pure.

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