Important chemical reactions of carboxylic acid

Carboxylic acids participate in a variety of chemical reactions, leveraging the reactivity of the carboxyl group.

Below is an organized summary of these reactions along with their chemical equations:

1. Esterification

• Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to produce esters and water, catalyzed by an acid, typically sulfuric acid.

• Reaction: RCOOH + R'OH ⟶ RCOOR' + H2O

• Example: Acetic Acid and Ethanol to Ethyl Acetate

• CH3COOH + CH3CH2OH ⟶ CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O

2. Acid-Base Reactions

• Carboxylic acids neutralize bases to form carboxylate salts and water.

• Reaction: RCOOH + MOH ⟶ RCOOM + H2O

• Example: Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide to Sodium Acetate

• CH3COOH+NaOHCH3​COOH+NaOH ⟶ CH3COONa+H2OCH3​COONa+H2​O

3. Reduction to Alcohols

• Carboxylic acids are reduced to primary alcohols using reducing agents like lithium aluminum hydride.

• Reaction: RCOOH + 4[H] ⟶ RCH2OH

• Example: Acetic Acid to Ethanol

• CH3COOH+4[H]CH3​COOH+4[H] (from LiAlH4) ⟶ CH3CH2OHCH3​CH2​OH

4. Decarboxylation

• Heating carboxylic acids with a strong base leads to the loss of a carbon dioxide molecule and formation of an alkane.

• Reaction: RCOOH ⟶ RH + CO2

• Example: Propanoic Acid to Ethane

• CH3CH2COOHCH3​CH2​COOH ⟶ CH3CH3+CO2CH3​CH3​+CO2​

5. Formation of Acyl Halides

• Carboxylic acids can be converted to acyl halides using halogenating agents like thionyl chloride.

• Reaction: RCOOH + SOCl2 ⟶ RCOCl + SO2 + HCl

• Example: Acetic Acid to Acetyl Chloride

• CH3COOH+SOCl2CH3​COOH+SOCl2​ ⟶ CH3COCl+SO2+HClCH3​COCl+SO2​+HCl

6. Formation of Amides

• Carboxylic acids react with ammonia or amines to form amides, often requiring heat or dehydration agents.

• Reaction: RCOOH + NH3 ⟶ RCONH2 + H2O

• Example: Acetic Acid to Acetamide

• CH3COOH+NH3CH3​COOH+NH3​ ⟶ CH3CONH2+H2OCH3​CONH2​+H2​O