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AQA A Level Chemistry

3.3.9
Carboxylic Acids
and Derivatives

Section 3.3.9 covers carboxylic acids and esters (3.3.9.1): acids as weak acids, esterification, the uses of esters, fats and oils, hydrolysis, soap and biodiesel; and acylation (3.3.9.2): acyl chlorides, acid anhydrides and amides, nucleophilic addition–elimination with water, alcohols, ammonia and primary amines, and the manufacture of aspirin.

Exam Paper
Paper 2
7405/2 (and Paper 3)
Specification Points
3.3.9.1 – 3.3.9.2
2 sub-sections covered
Sub-topics
4 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
AQA
7405 (2015 onwards)

Revision Notes

4 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

Two carboxylic acid molecules paired by hydrogen bonds
1

Carboxylic Acids: Structure, Properties and Preparation

Carboxylic acids: structure and naming, hydrogen bonding, boiling point and solubility, and preparation by oxidation, with nitrile hydrolysis as an extension.

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An acid and an alcohol joining and releasing water
2

Reactions of Carboxylic Acids

Reactions of carboxylic acids: salts, esterification.

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An acyl chloride with fumes rising from a bottle
3

Acyl Chlorides and Acid Anhydrides

Acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides: structure, reactions with water, alcohols, ammonia and amines and the addition–elimination mechanism.

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A fat molecule beside soap bubbles
4

Esters: Hydrolysis, Fats, Soap and Biodiesel

Esters: naming, formation, acid and alkaline hydrolysis, fats and oils, soap and biodiesel.

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Summary Map

Download, print and revise the reactions of this topic at a glance.

Summary maps

Download, print and revise the reactions of this topic at a glance.

Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Carboxylic Acids Map

AQA A Level Chemistry · 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.

Download the map3 reactions · A4 landscape · print ready
Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Acyl Chlorides Map

AQA A Level Chemistry · 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.

Download the map5 reactions · A4 portrait · print ready
Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Esters Map

AQA A Level Chemistry · 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.

Download the map4 reactions · A4 landscape · print ready
Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Summary Map

AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

The whole section on one A4 page: carboxylic acids, esterification, ester hydrolysis, fats, soap and biodiesel, acyl chlorides, anhydrides and aspirin.

Download the map6 key ideas + a data table · A4 portrait · print ready

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Revision Game

Match reagents to products, free, with your board's reagents and conditions.

Illustration of memory game cards, two turned face up as a matching pairFree

Revision Game: Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Turn the cards over two at a time: match reagents to what they make, and find how each product is made.

A free memory game on the reactions in this topic, with your board's reagents, conditions and spec points.

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Study Cards

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Specification

Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.

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3.3.9.1

  1. i a

    know the structures of carboxylic acids

    Revise
  2. i b

    know the structures of esters

    Revise
  3. ii

    know that carboxylic acids are weak acids but will liberate CO2 from carbonates

    Revise
  4. iii a

    know that carboxylic acids react with alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst to give esters

    Revise
  5. iii b

    know that alcohols react with carboxylic acids in the presence of an acid catalyst to give esters

    Revise
  6. iv

    know the common uses of esters in solvents, plasticisers, perfumes and food flavourings

    Revise
  7. v

    know that vegetable oils and animal fats are esters of propane-1,2,3-triol (glycerol)

    Revise
  8. vi a

    know that esters can be hydrolysed in acid conditions to form alcohols and carboxylic acids

    Revise
  9. vi b

    know that esters can be hydrolysed in alkaline conditions to form alcohols and salts of carboxylic acids

    Revise
  10. vii

    know that vegetable oils and animal fats can be hydrolysed in alkaline conditions to give soap and glycerol

    Revise
  11. viii

    know that biodiesel is a mixture of methyl esters of long-chain carboxylic acids produced by reacting vegetable oils with methanol in the presence of a catalyst

    Revise

3.3.9.2

  1. i a

    know the structures of acid anhydrides

    Revise
  2. i b

    know the structures of acyl chlorides

    Revise
  3. i c

    know the structures of amides

    Revise
  4. ii a

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of water with acyl chlorides

    Revise
  5. ii b

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of alcohols with acyl chlorides

    Revise
  6. ii c

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of ammonia with acyl chlorides

    Revise
  7. ii d

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of primary amines with acyl chlorides

    Revise
  8. ii e

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of water with acid anhydrides

    Revise
  9. ii f

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of alcohols with acid anhydrides

    Revise
  10. ii g

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of ammonia with acid anhydrides

    Revise
  11. ii h

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction of primary amines with acid anhydrides

    Revise
  12. iii

    know the industrial advantages of ethanoic anhydride over ethanoyl chloride in the manufacture of aspirin

    Revise
  13. iv a

    outline the mechanism of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of acyl chlorides with water

    Revise
  14. iv b

    outline the mechanism of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of acyl chlorides with alcohols

    Revise
  15. iv c

    outline the mechanism of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of acyl chlorides with ammonia

    Revise
  16. iv d

    outline the mechanism of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of acyl chlorides with primary amines

    Revise