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Introduction: –

Generally, these organic compounds are denoted by their trivial names, which contain the suffix “-ic acid”. An example of a trivial name which is for a carboxylic acid is acetic acid (CH3COOH).  According to IUPAC nomenclature of these compounds, the suffix “-oic acid” is assigned.

The guidelines that must be followed in the IUPAC nomenclature of carboxylic acids are listed below.

  • The suffix “e” in the name of the given alkane should be replaced with “oic acid”.
  • When the aliphatic chain has only one carboxyl group, the carboxylic carbon is always prioritised as one. For example, the compound CH3COOH is named as ethanoic acid.
  • When the aliphatic chain has more than one carboxyl group, the total number of C atoms is counted and the number of carboxyl groups is shown by Greek numeral prefixes such as “di-”, “tri-“, etc.
  • Then this carboxylic acid is named by joining these prefixes and suffixes to the parent alkyl chain. Arabic numerals are used for indicating the positions of the carboxyl group.
  • The name “carboxylic acid” or “carboxy” can also be assigned for a carboxyl substituent on a carbon chain. An example of such nomenclature is the name 2-carbofuran for the compound 2-Furoic acid.

Uses of Carboxylic Acids

  • Fatty acids that are important to human beings constitute of carboxylic acids. Examples given omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • In the manufacture of soaps, higher fatty acids are also used.
  • Many carboxylic acids are use in the production of soft drinks and many other food products.
  • The manufacture of rubber includes the use of acetic acid (coagulant).
  • In the manufacture of nylon-6,6 hexanedioic acid is used.
  • Carboxylic acids is very useful in the rubber, textile, and leather industries.
  • Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a widely used chelating agent.
  • The manufacturing of many drugs involves the use of the said compounds. Therefore, carboxylic acids are very essential in pharmaceuticals.
  • The manufacturing of many polymers includes the use of compounds in which  carboxyl functional group is present.

Carboxylic Acid Structure

The formula of a carboxylic acid is that, it is generally represented by the formula R-COOH, were COOH means to the carboxyl group, and R means to the remaining of the molecule to which this group is bonded to. In this carboxyl group, there is a C which shares a double bond with an O atom and a single bond with a -OH group.

The first four carboxylic acids obtained from alkanes are methanoic acid (HCOOH), ethanoic acid (CH3COOH), propanoic acid (C2H5COOH) and butanoic acid (C3H7COOH).

It can be observed that a carboxylic acid contains a hydroxyl group attached to a carbonyl carbon. Due to the electronegativity of the O atom, this functional group can easily undergo ionisation and release a proton.

The carboxylate ion, formed from the removal of a proton from the carboxyl group, is stabilised by the presence of two O atoms. Some examples of carboxylic acids are acetic acid  and Formic acid.

Types of Carboxylic Acids: –

  • Methanoic Acid
  • Propanoic Acid
  • Butanoic Acid
  • Pentanoic Acid
  • Hexanoic Acid
  • Heptanoic Acid
  • Octanoic Acid
  • Nonanoic Acid
  • Decanoic Acid

Conversion of Ethanoic Acid into methane: –

CH3​COOH​+ NaOH ​→CH3​COONa+ H2​O​

  Ethanoic Acid Sodium hydroxide Water

Then, sodium ethanoate is heated with sodalime (NaOH + CaO) to get methane.

Sodium Ethanoate​ + NaOH +CH4​​                     +Na2​CO3​
   CH3​COONa Sodium Hydroxide(from sodalime) Methane

Conclusion :-

The carboxylic acids are one of the most important functional group that present C=O. This type of organic compounds can be manufactured by different  methods, some carboxylic acids, such as lactic acid ,citric acid or fumaric acid are produced from by fermentation. Most of these types of carboxylic acids are used in the food industry.