Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
ACIDS
Reactions:
Salt formation
R
−
COOH
+
NaOH
R
−
COONa
+
H
2
O
Acid chlorides
R
−
COOH
+
PCl
5
R
−
COCl
+
HCl
+
PCl
3
Acid anhydrides
RCO
O
CO
R
−
COONa
+
R-COCl
+
NaCl
R
Esters
R
−
COOH
+
R
′−
OH
R-COOR
′
+
H
2
O
A few of the important reactions carboxylic acids undergo are shown above.
Soap is made by reacting sodium or potassium hydroxide with long-chain
acids such as C
17
H
35
COOH (stearic acid). Acid chlorides and acid anhydrides
are more reactive than their corresponding carboxylic acids and are used in
the chemical industry to make various acid derivatives. A very important
industrial reaction is the reaction of carboxylic acids (or the chlorides or
anhydrides) with alcohols to form esters.
