26-3: Carboxylic 26-3: Carboxylic Acids and EstersAcids and Esters26-3: Carboxylic 26-3: Carboxylic Acids and EstersAcids and Esters

Carboxylic Acids (Organic Acids)

• Functional group: carboxyl (combines carbonyl and hydroxyl) _______

• General formula: _____ or R-COOH

Naming Carboxylic Acids

• IUPAC1. Name longest hydrocarbon chain,

add “-oic acid” to root word.2. Name any branches as necessary.

Properties of Carboxylic Acids

• Long chain carboxylic acids are known as fatty acids.

• Very polar; soluble in water.• Undergo hydrogen bonding,

therefore higher boiling points.

Esters• Functional group: __________• General formula: ____ (R-COOR)• Formed from rxn of an alcohol and

a carboxylic acid.

Naming Esters• Based on the alcohol and

carboxylic acid it formed from.• Change the name of the alcohol to

end in –yl.• Take the name of the acid and add

“–oate” to it (if IUPAC) or “-ate” (if common.

Ester examples• Ester formed by reacting ethanol

and propanoic acid.– Ethyl propanoate

• Ester formed by reacting formic acid and propanol.– Propyl formate

Properties of Esters• Polar, but do not form hydrogen

bonds. Therefore, boiling points are lower than alcohols or acids.

• Have very distinctive fragrances (ex: orange, banana, apple, wintergreen, rum, pineapple)