Reactions as acids
Reactions of alcohols with sodium Alcohols react with the reactive metal sodium, forming a sodium salt and hydrogen For example, ethanol reacts with sodium forming sodium ethoxide and hydrogen
Reaction of ethanol with sodium
Acidic nature of the carboxylic acid group Ethanoic acid is a far stronger acid than ethanol This is because its anion is much more stable than that of ethanol This enables it to lose a hydrogen ion more readily The stability of the ethanoate ion is due to electron delocalisation (as in benzene)
Reactions of carboxylic acids as acids Carboxylic acids react with: Magnesium, forming a magnesium salt and hydrogen Sodium hydroxide, forming a sodium salt and hydrogen Sodium carbonate, forming a sodium salt , carbon dioxide and water
Reaction of ethanoic acid with magnesium Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen 2 CH3COOH + Mg → (CH3COO)2Mg + H2 ethanoic acid magnesium ethanoate
Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide Acid + Base → Salt + Water CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate
Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate