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Carboxylic Acids - Reactions.

Carboxylic acids react in the same way as dilute mineral acids.

1. Reaction with alkalis.

Carboxylic acids are neutralised by alkalis, for example

methanoic acid   +  sodium hydroxide sodium methanoate  +  water.
HCO₂H_(aq)    +        NaOH_(aq)               HCO₂Na_(aq)     +   H₂O_(l)

ethanoic acid   +  potassium hydroxide potassium ethanoate  +  water.
CH₃CO₂H_(aq)    +        KOH_(aq)               CH₃CO₂K_(aq)     +   H₂O_(l)

2. Reaction with carbonates.

Carboxylic acids are neutralised by carbonates, for example

ethanoic acid+sodium carbonate sodium ethanoate+carbon dioxide+water.
2CH₃CO₂H_(aq)   +   Na₂CO_3(s)               2CH₃CO₂Na_(aq)   +  CO_2(g) + H₂O_(l)

butanoic acid  +  zinc carbonate   zinc butanoate + carbon dioxide + water.
2C₃H₇CO₂H_(aq)   +   ZnCO_3(s)          (C₃H₇CO₂)₂Zn_(aq)   +  CO_2(g) + H₂O_(l)

3. Reaction with metals.

magnesium   +   ethanoic acid    magnesium ethanoate     +   hydrogen.
Mg_(s)    +       2CH₃CO₂H_(aq)       (CH₃CO₂)₂Mg_(aq)         +         H_2(g)

zinc      +      propanoic acid             zinc propanoate     +    hydrogen.
Zn_(s)    +       2C₂H₅CO₂H_(aq)         (C₂H₅CO₂)₂Zn_(aq)      +         H_2(g)

4. Reaction with alcohols.
Carboxylic acids will react with alcohols to form esters.

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