Topic 18
Carboxylic Acids
and Derivatives
Topic 18 covers carboxylic acids and esters at AS Level: making acids by oxidation and by hydrolysis of nitriles and esters, their reactions with reactive metals, alkalis and carbonates, esterification, reduction with LiAlH₄, and the formation and hydrolysis of esters. The pages also carry the A Level outcomes on acid strength, further oxidation and acyl chloride formation (Topic 33), clearly marked.
Revision Notes
3 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Carboxylic Acids: Structure, Properties and Preparation
Carboxylic acids: structure and naming, hydrogen bonding, boiling point and solubility, and preparation by oxidation and nitrile hydrolysis.
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Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
Reactions of carboxylic acids: salts, esterification, reduction and the formation of acyl chlorides.
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Esters and Their Hydrolysis
Esters: naming, formation, acid and alkaline hydrolysis.
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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.
Carboxylic Acids Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 18 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.
Esters Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 18 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.
Carboxylic Acids and Esters Summary Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 18 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
The whole section on one A4 page: carboxylic acids, making them, acids as acids, reduction, making esters and hydrolysing esters.
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18.1.1
- a i
recall the reaction by which carboxylic acids can be produced: oxidation of primary alcohols with acidified K2Cr2O7 or acidified KMnO4 and refluxing
Revise - a ii
recall the reaction by which carboxylic acids can be produced: oxidation of aldehydes with acidified K2Cr2O7 or acidified KMnO4 and refluxing
Revise - b
recall the reaction by which carboxylic acids can be produced: hydrolysis of nitriles with dilute acid or dilute alkali followed by acidification
Revise - c
recall the reaction by which carboxylic acids can be produced: hydrolysis of esters with dilute acid or dilute alkali and heat followed by acidification
Revise
18.1.2
- a
describe the redox reaction of carboxylic acids with reactive metals to produce a salt and H2(g)
Revise - b
describe the neutralisation reaction of carboxylic acids with alkalis to produce a salt and H2O(l)
Revise - c
describe the acid–base reaction of carboxylic acids with carbonates to produce a salt and H2O(l) and CO2(g)
Revise - d
describe esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols with concentrated H2SO4 as catalyst
Revise
18.2.1
- a
recall the reaction (reagents and conditions) by which esters can be produced: the condensation reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid with concentrated H2SO4 as catalyst
Revise
18.2.2
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