1. Reactions as acids

2. 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

3. Reaction of ethanol with sodium

4. 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)

5. 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

6. Reaction of ethanoic acid with magnesium Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen 2 CH 3 COOH + Mg → (CH 3 COO) 2 Mg + H 2 ethanoic acid magnesium ethanoate

7. Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide Acid + Base → Salt + Water CH 3 COOH + NaOH → CH 3 COONa + H 2 O ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate

8. Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide 2CH 3 COOH + Na 2 CO 3 → 2CH 3 COONa + H 2 O + CO 2 ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate