6.1.3
Carboxylic Acids
and Esters
Section 6.1.3 covers the water solubility of carboxylic acids, their reactions with metals, carbonates, metal oxides and alkalis, esterification with alcohols and with acid anhydrides, the hydrolysis of esters in hot aqueous acid and alkali, the formation of acyl chlorides with SOCl₂, and the use of acyl chlorides to make esters, carboxylic acids and amides. The polyester outcomes of 6.2.3 are taught on the esters page.
Revision Notes
4 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 and the formation of acyl chlorides.
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Acyl Chlorides
Acyl chlorides: structure, reactions with water, alcohols, ammonia and amines.
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Esters, Hydrolysis and Polyesters
Esters: naming, formation, acid and alkaline hydrolysis and condensation polymerisation to polyesters.
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Download, print and revise the reactions of this topic at a glance.
Summary maps
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Carboxylic Acids Map
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters
Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.
Acyl Chlorides Map
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters
Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.
Esters Map
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters
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
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters
The whole section on one A4 page: carboxylic acids, esterification, ester hydrolysis, acid anhydrides, acyl chlorides and their use in synthesis.
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6.1.3
- c (i)
esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. concentrated H2SO4)
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