Preparation of Carboxylic Acids (Edexcel International A Level Chemistry): Revision Note

Carboxylic Acids - Preparation

• Carboxylic acids are compounds with a -COOH functional group

• They can be prepared by a series of different reactions

Oxidation of primary alcohols & aldehydes

• Carboxylic acids can be formed from the oxidation of primary alcohols and aldehydes by either acidified K₂Cr₂O₇ or acidified KMnO₄ and reflux

• The oxidising agents themselves get reduced causing the solutions to change colour

  • In K₂Cr₂O₇ the orange dichromate ions (Cr₂O₇^2-) are reduced to green Cr³⁺ ions

  • In KMnO4  the purple manganate ions (MnO₄^-) are reduced to colourless Mn²⁺ ions

Oxidation of primary alcohols (1) and aldehydes (2) gives carboxylic acids

Hydrolysis of nitriles

• Carboxylic acids can also be prepared from the hydrolysis of nitriles using either dilute acid or dilute alkali followed by acidification

  • Hydrolysis by dilute acid results in the formation of a carboxylic acid and ammonium salt

  • Hydrolysis by dilute alkali results in the formation of a sodium carboxylate salt and ammonia; Acidification is required to change the carboxylate ion into a carboxylic acid

• The -CN group at the end of the hydrocarbon chain is converted to a -COOH group

Hydrolysis of nitriles by either dilute acid (1) or dilute alkali and acidification (2) will form a carboxylic acid