Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids – Basic Principles
How it works
Alcohols are organic compounds with at least one hydroxy group (-OH) as the functional group. They are classified according to the number of these groups as monohydric, dihydric, etc. Carboxylic acids have a carboxyl group (-COOH) and are usually weak acids. Both classes of substances are important components of many everyday products and also play a role in biological and chemical processes. The names of alcohols and carboxylic acids follow rules based on the parent chain and functional group. Primary alcohols can first react by oxidation to aldehydes and, upon further oxidation, to carboxylic acids. Typical reactions include esterification as well as simple detection and differentiation reactions.
Alcohols are recognized by the hydroxy group (-OH), carboxylic acids by the carboxyl group (-COOH). Naming is based on the parent chain and functional group, usually with the endings -ol and -oic acid. With sufficient oxidation, a carboxylic acid can be formed from a primary alcohol via an aldehyde.
An example
What is the name of the alcohol with the semi-structural formula C2H5OH?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Chemistry. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.