Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

TYPES OF QUESTIONS:

Carboxylic Acids

 

Physical Properties

• Account for exceptionally higher mp/bp of carboxylic acids
• Account for trends in solubility in water

Chemical Properties

• Explain why carboxylic acids are more acidic than phenols
• Suggest and account for the effect of substituents on the acidity of the carboxylic acid
• State reagents/ conditions for the reactions that carboxylic acids can undergo.
• Determine nucleophilic acyl substitution products (Nu = Cl^– and alcohols)

Acyl Chloride

• State reagents/ conditions for the reactions that acyl chlorides can undergo
• Determine nucleophilic acyl substitution products (Nu = alcohols and ammonia/ amines)
• Account for difference in rate of hydrolysis for acyl chlorides, chloroalkanes and chloroarenes

Esters

• State reagents/ conditions for the reactions that esters can undergo