Organic Chemistry #14: Carboxylic Acids and Esters (Slides and Student Led Tasks)

LESSON OBJECTIVE: Investigate carboxylic acids, understand their characteristic reactions and describe the acid/base hydrolysis of esters.

In this lesson we introduce the homologous series of carboxylic acids, their synthesis and a number of reactions including reduction, esterification and their reactions as an acid. This is lesson fourteen in our organic chemistry series of Unit 19: Carboxylic acids and derivatives (from the Cambridge International AS Chemistry Curriculum (9701) 2019-2021 curriculum).

Learning Outcomes:
(taken from the Cambridge International AS and A Level Chemistry (9701) 2019-2021 curriculum)
19.1 Carboxylic acids
a) describe the formation of carboxylic acids from alcohols, aldehydes and nitriles
b) describe the reactions of carboxylic acids in the formation of:
(i) salts, by the use of reactive metals, alkalis or carbonates
(ii) alkyl esters
(iii) alcohols, by the use of LiAlH4

19.3 Esters
a) describe the acid and base hydrolysis of esters
b) state the major commercial uses of esters, e.g. solvent, perfumes and flavourings