Chapter 20 The Chemistry of Carboxylic Acids

carboxylic acid  A carboxylic acid can be thought of as a combination between two functional groups: an alcohol group, involving a hydrogen bound to an oxygen, which attaches to If we take a carboxylic acid and replace the OH with other groups, we can get different

Citric acid is a large carboxylic acid with three ionizable hydrogen atoms It is found in citrus fruits and gives them their sour or tart Carboxylic acids are weak acids They are more acidic than other molecules featuring the hydroxyl group, such as alcohols and phenol Their acidity depends on

: Physical Properties of Carboxylic Acids Carboxylic acids with lower molecular weight exhibit a sharp and unpleasant odor They also have A common carboxylic acid is ethanoic acid, vinegar Carboxylic acids are weak acids that react in the same way as other acids They are responsible for the