What is common when carboxylic acid is reacted with base or with alcohol?
Correct answer: D. Formation of water
- A. Catalyst
- B. Formation of ester
- C. Formation of salt
- D. Formation of water
Explanation
When a carboxylic acid is reacted with a base, such as sodium hydroxide, it undergoes neutralization to form salt and water. For example, the reaction between acetic acid and sodium hydroxide produces sodium acetate and water:CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COO−Na+ + H2OWhen a carboxylic acid is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, such as concentrated sulfuric acid, it undergoes esterification to form an ester and water. For example, the reaction between acetic acid and ethanol produces ethyl acetate and water:CH3COOH + C2H5OH → CH3COOC2H5 + H2OTherefore, the formation of water is a common feature in both reactions.
This question appeared on the NUMS 2019 (cancelled sitting) paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids show acidic behaviour because their carboxylate ions are resonance-stabilised, and electron-withdrawing groups can change their strength. Reactions include neutralisation, esterification, formation of acid chlorides and amides, reduction, decarboxylation and substitution at the acyl carbon, which differs from the reactions of phenols.
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