1. 1.6 Carboxylic Acids and Esters
Learning Goals …
… name and draw carboxylic acids
… name and draw esters

2. Carboxylic Acids
contain the carboxyl group located at the end of a parent
chain
General formula:
  O
R – C R-COOH OH
name carboxylic acids by replacing the – e with – oic acid
number chain so that the carboxyl group is at position #1

3. ethanoic acid (acetic acid)
CH C OH II O
ethanoic acid (acetic acid)
CH3
CH3 – C – CH2 – C = 0
CH OH
butanoic acid
3,3-dimethyl
4-methylpentanoic acid

4. benzoic acid C O
H2C OH
phenylethanoic acid

5. Properties of Carboxylic acids
polar and weakly acidic
hydrogen bonding can occur between molecules and with
water
very high boiling points due to strong Hydrogen bonds
often have unpleasant odours
the –OH group does NOT behave like the basic hydroxide
ion – only the H+ ion is lost in solution to form an acid

6. Esters General formula: R – C R-COOR’ O R – C O II II OR’ OR’
R – C R-COOR’
R – C O O II II
OR’
OR’
main chain
alkyl group
To name an ester:
Name the alkyl group attached to the O, indicate position #
Name the parent chain which includes the C=O group, replacing the ending with –oate
Put the 2 names together (but as separate words)

7. O II CH3CH2CH2C-O-CH2CH3 ethyl butanoate O II 1-propyl methanoate
C-O-CH2CH2CH3 H
Note: main chain does not have to be the longest chain
CH3CH2COOCH2(CH3)CH2CH3 II O
CH3CH2C-O-CH2CH2CH3
CH3
2-butyl
propanoate

8. Properties of Esters 2-butyl methylpropanoate polar low boiling points
ester groups are found in fats and oils
often produce pleasant odours and tastes, such
as in fruits. As a result, they are often used for
perfumes and artificial flavours

9. HOMEWORK Self Check How prepared am I to start my homework? Can I …
… name and draw carboxylic acids
… name and draw esters
HOMEWORK
p48 #1, 2
p50 #1, 2
p55 #1,2