Carboxylic acids and esters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the structure of the first four carboxylic acids, and recognise and describe reactions where carboxylic acids are involved.
Key learning points
- Carboxylic acids have a -COOH functional group.
- Carboxylic acids are weak acids.
- When ethanol is oxidised, ethanoic acid is formed.
- Carboxylic acids react with carbonates to produce a metal salt, carbon dioxide and water.
- Carboxylic acid can react with alcohol to produce esters (such as ethyl ethanoate).
Keywords
Carboxylic acids - Carboxylic acids are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -COOH functional group.
Weak acids - Weak acids partially dissociate to form Hᐩ ions in solution.
Carbonate - A carbonate is a compound containing the CO₃²ᐨ ion. An example is calcium carbonate CaCO₃.
Esters - Esters are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -COO- functional group.
Ethyl ethanoate - Ethyl ethanoate is an ester produced from the alcohol ethanol and the carboxylic acid ethanoic acid.
Common misconception
Confusing the concentration and strength of acids.
Clearly define a strong and weak acid.
Teacher tip
Practical task opportunities - test the pH of carboxylic acids, react them with metal carbonates and produce esters.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the homologous series of compounds with the correct functional group.
C=C
OH
COOH
Q2.What is the name of the carboxylic acid in the image?
Q3.Order the carboxylic acids by increasing chain length starting with the shortest carboxylic acid.
Q4.What is produced when an alcohol is oxidised using an oxidising agent?
Q5.What are the products from reactions between acids and metal carbonates?
Q6.Which of the following statements about weak acids are true?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Name the molecule shown in the image.
Q2.Which functional group do esters contain?
Q3.Where are esters used?
Q4.Match the key term with the correct definition
A homologous series of compounds containing the -COOH functional group
Partially dissociate to form Hᐩ ions in solution
A compound containing the CO₃²ᐨ ion.
A homologous series of compounds containing the -COO- functional group
Q5.What are the products when a metal carbonate reacts with a carboxylic acid?
Q6.Which two reactants can react together to form the ester ethyl ethanoate?
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Carboxylic acids and esters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Carboxylic acids and esters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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