Carboxylic Acids (OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry)

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Carboxylic Acids Structure & Formula

  • Carboxylic acids are a homologous series of compounds that have the general formula of

CnH2n+1 COOH 

  • They differ by one -CH2 in the molecular formulae from one member to the next
  • They show a gradation in their physical properties:
    • Boiling points increase with increased carbon chain length
    • Viscosity increases with increased carbon chain length

  • They have similar chemical properties

Carboxylic Acid - Functional Group, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Diagram of the general structure of a carboxylic acid. The R- represents a varying hydrocarbon chain

  • The names and structure of the first four carboxylic acids are shown below
  • In terms of naming, the same system is used as for alkanes and alkenes, with the final ‘e’ being replaced with ‘oic’ and then the word acid

Carboxylic Acids- The First Four, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

The structures and formulae of the first four carboxylic acids

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

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Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.