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Important chemical reactions of carboxylic acid

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

  • Here’s a summary of these reactions:

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

These reactions highlight the diverse reactivity of carboxylic acids, making them key intermediates in various chemical syntheses.

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