Carboxylic Acids (AL) (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Benzoic acid can be formed from methylbenzene. 

This process occurs in two stages. 

methylbenzene          potassium benzoate      benzoic acid        

Describe the observations that could be made during step 1.

Describe and explain the relative acidities of benzoic acid and phenol. 

Fig. 2.1 shows three different molecules.

Fig. 2.1 

Propan-1-ol can react with sodium metal. 

Write an equation for this reaction. 

Another carboxylic acid, methanoic acid is similar to propanoic acid in terms of its acidity. 

The acyl chloride, ethanedioyl dichloride is shown in Fig. 3.1.

This can be synthesised from compound X in a single step. 

Fig. 3.1

Suggest the identify of compound X. 

State the reagents and conditions needed to convert X into ClCOCOCl.

A different acyl chloride was used to synthesize ethyl butanoate. 

Describe and explain the relative acidities of benzoic acid, phenylmethanol and 4-methylphenol shown in Fig. 1.1. 

Fig. 1.1

The ester 4-methylphenyl benzoate is used in the manufacture of perfumes and can be formed in two steps from two of the compounds shown in Fig. 1.1 in part (a).

State the reagents and conditions required to form benzoic acid from methylbenzene.