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Carboxylic acid is a group of carbon compounds containing a carbonyl group. Carboxyl Group or COOH is composed of carbonyl group (>C=O) and a hydroxyl group (-OH). In chemistry, Carboxylic acid is a precursor of many other organic compounds, i.e., acid chlorides, esters, anhydrides, amides, etc. Even all the fatty acids are the members of the group Carboxylic Acid.
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Keyterms: Carboxylic Acid, Carbonyl Group, Carboxyl Group, Ester, Amides, Hydroxyl Group, Alcohol, Aldehydes
Carboxylic Acids
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Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids are prepared by oxidation of primary alcohols, aldehydes, etc. by hydrolysis of nitriles. Most used carboxylic acids are- ethanol, propanone, formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, etc.
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Uses of Carboxylic Acids
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Carboxylic acid makes up a series of fatty acids that is essential for human health. Some carboxylic acids such as omega-6 and omega-3 are not produced in the human body. This carboxylic acid helps in maintaining the cell membrane and control nutrient use along with metabolism. It is essential to consume those foods which have fatty acids.
- In food industries, organic acids are used to produce vinegar, sodium salts and other soft drinks and sodium benzoate is used to preserve foods.
- In chemical industries, Acetic is used to produce dye-stuff, perfumes and rayon’s etc.
- In rubber making industry, Acetic acids are used to manufacture the rubber
- To manufacture the soaps and detergents carboxylic acids such as stearic acids are the most important acid
- Hexanedioic acid is used during manufacturing of nylon in nylon industries
- Esters of benzoic acids are used to make perfume, body mist, etc.
- In drug making industries, acetylsalicylic acid is used to produce aspirin, phenacetin, etc.
Some of carboxylic acids are as follows
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| Carboxylic Acid | Structure | pKa |
|---|---|---|
| Chloro Ethanoic acid | CH2CICO2H | 2.9 |
| Nitro Ethanoic acid | O2NCH2CO2H | 1.7 |
| Ethanoic acid | CH3CO2H | 4.7 |
| Fluoroethanoic acid | CH2FCO2H | 2.6 |
| Trichloroethanoic acid | CCI3CO2H | 0.9 |
| Propanoic acid | CH3CH2CO2H | 4.9 |
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Sample Questions
Ques: Which fatty acid is used in making Soaps? (1 mark)
Answer: To produce soaps, mostly higher fatty acids are needed. Soaps are usually made of sodium and potassiusm salts of higher fatty acids such as stearic acid.
Ques: Name the industries in which Carboxylic acids are used? (2 marks)
Answer: In food industries, organic acids are used to produce vinegar, sodium salts and other soft drinks and sodium benzoate is used to preserve foods. In chemical industries, Acetic is used to produce dye-stuff, perfumes and rayon’s etc. In rubber making industry, Acetic acids are used to manufacture the rubber. In pharmaceutical industry, many carboxylic acids are used to produce various type of drugs.
Ques: Write the uses of Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Acrylic acid and Acetic acid. (2 marks)
Answer: Palmitic acid- It is used in the manufacturing of soaps, pharmaceuticals, candles, cosmetics, etc.
Stearic acid- It is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps and cosmetics.
Acrylic acid- It is mainly used in the formation of polymers, plastics coatings, paints and polishes.
Acetic acid- It is used in the manufacturing of rubber, preparation of metal acetates and used in some printing process.
Ques: Name the acids that are used in the production of soaps. (2 marks)
Answer: The carboxylic acids that are most commonly used in the production of soaps are-
- Palmitic Acid
- Stearic Acid
- Oleic Acid
- Lauric Acid
- Myristic Acid
Ques: Mention first four Carboxylic Acids that are derived from Alkanes with structural formula. (2 marks)
Answer: The first four carboxylic acids that are derived from the alkanes are-
- Methanoic Acid – HCOOH
- Ethanoic Acid – CH3COOH
- Propanoic Acid – C2H5COOH
- Butanoic Acid – C3H7COOH
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