Carboxylic Acids, Typical Acids and Esters | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool

Summary

This educational video delves into the world of carboxylic acids, highlighting their prevalence in nature with examples like formic, acetic, and oxalic acids. It explains their chemical structure, featuring the carboxy group, and demonstrates typical acid reactions such as with metals, bases, and carbonates. A key focus is on esterification, a reaction with alcohols to form esters, which are showcased through their diverse applications in flavorings, perfumes, and the production of soap. The video also hints at the Le Chatelier's principle, promising further exploration in a related video.

Takeaways

• 🐜 Carboxylic acids are widespread in nature and include formic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid.
• 🌿 Formic acid gets its name from the Latin 'formica', referring to ants, as ants use it to subdue their prey.
• 🍷 Acetic acid, known as vinegar when diluted, is derived from the oxidation of ethanol, hinting at its origin from sour wine.
• 🌿 Oxalic acid is toxic and is found in rhubarb leaves, cautioning against their consumption.
• 🔬 Carboxylic acids contain the carboxyl group, which consists of a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group.
• ⚛️ They exhibit typical acid reactions, such as reacting with metals to form salts and hydrogen, with bases to form salts and water, and with carbonates to produce salts, carbon dioxide, and water.
• 🔄 Esterification is a significant reaction where carboxylic acids react with alcohols to form esters and water; this is a reversible process.
• 🧪 A few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid are often added to esterification reactions to act as a catalyst and to remove water, shifting the equilibrium.
• 🍋 Esters are known for their characteristic smells and are used in flavorings and perfumes, with examples like methyl butyrate (bananas), pentyl acetate (pears), and octyl acetate (oranges).
• 🧼 Animal and vegetable fats and oils, as well as soap, are derived from the esterification of long-chain fatty acids with glycerol.

Q & A

What is the common name for methanolic acid?

Methanolic acid is commonly called formic acid.

Why is formic acid associated with ants?

Formic acid is associated with ants because it is the compound red ants inject into their prey.

What is the origin of the name 'acetic acid'?

Acetic acid is named from the Latin 'acetum', meaning sour wine, as it is produced when wine, which contains ethanol, is oxidized in the air.

Why is vinegar a dilute solution of ethanoic acid?

Vinegar is a dilute solution of ethanoic acid because it contains acetic acid, which is the result of ethanol oxidation.

What is the common name for ethane dioic acid and why is it toxic?

Ethane dioic acid is commonly called oxalic acid, and it is toxic, which is why we should never eat rhubarb leaves that contain it.

What group do carboxylic acids contain and what is it composed of?

Carboxylic acids contain the carboxy group, which is composed of a carbonyl group and a hydroxy group.

How do carboxylic acids react with metals?

Carboxylic acids react with metals to form a salt and release hydrogen gas.

What happens when a carboxylic acid reacts with a base?

When a carboxylic acid reacts with a base, it forms a salt and water.

What is the reaction between a carboxylic acid and a carbonate?

The reaction between a carboxylic acid and a carbonate produces a salt, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is esterification and how does it occur?

Esterification is the reaction where carboxylic acids react with alcohols to produce an ester and water. This is a reversible reaction, often catalyzed by a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid, which also helps shift the equilibrium to the right by removing the water formed, following Le Chatelier's principle.

What are esters used for in the catering and cosmetic industries?

Esters are used in the catering and cosmetic industries for their characteristic smells, which are responsible for the flavors of foods and the scents of flowers, making them useful as flavorings and in perfumes.

What is the relationship between animal fats, vegetable oils, and esters?

Animal fats, vegetable oils, and soaps are all esters. They are formed from the reaction of long-chain fatty acids with glycerol for fats and oils, and with the salts of fatty acids for soap.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Carboxylic Acids in Nature

This paragraph introduces carboxylic acids, highlighting three common examples found in nature: formic acid (methanolic acid), acetic acid (ethanoic acid), and oxalic acid (ethane dioic acid). Formic acid is noted for its presence in red ants' venom, while acetic acid is associated with the oxidation of ethanol in wine to create vinegar. Oxalic acid is mentioned for its toxicity, particularly in rhubarb leaves. The paragraph also explains the chemical structure of carboxylic acids, which includes a carboxyl group consisting of a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group. The typical reactions of carboxylic acids are outlined, including reactions with metals, bases, and carbonates to form salts, water, and carbon dioxide. Additionally, the paragraph discusses esterification, a reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols to produce esters and water, which is a reversible process. The use of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst in this reaction is also mentioned, along with its role in shifting the equilibrium according to Le Chatelier's principle.

Keywords

💡Carboxilic Acids

Carboxilic acids are organic compounds that contain a carboxyl group (-COOH). They are widely found in nature and are essential components in various biological and chemical processes. In the video, three examples are given: formic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid. These acids are used to illustrate the typical properties and reactions of carboxilic acids, such as their ability to form salts with metals and their participation in esterification reactions.

💡Formic Acid

Formic acid, also known as methanolic acid, is mentioned as the compound injected by ants into their prey. It is derived from the Latin 'formica,' meaning ant. Formic acid is an example of a naturally occurring carboxilic acid and is used in the script to demonstrate the concept of carboxilic acids and their presence in the natural world.

💡Acetic Acid

Acetic acid, commonly known as ethanoic acid, is derived from the Latin 'acetum,' meaning sour wine. It is formed when ethanol in wine is oxidized, leading to the sour taste. The script uses acetic acid to explain the reaction of carboxilic acids with bases to form salts and water, and also in the esterification process to form ethyl acetate, which is related to vinegar production.

💡Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid, or ethane dioic acid, is highlighted as a toxic compound found in rhubarb leaves. The script warns against consuming rhubarb leaves due to the presence of this acid. Oxalic acid serves as an example of the diversity of properties within the carboxilic acid family and the importance of understanding their chemical behavior.

💡Carboxyl Group

The carboxyl group is a functional group consisting of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to the same carbon atom. It is a defining feature of carboxilic acids and is central to their chemical reactivity. The script explains that carboxilic acids contain this group, which allows them to participate in various reactions like esterification.

💡Esterification

Esterification is a chemical reaction between a carboxilic acid and an alcohol that produces an ester and water. This reaction is highlighted in the script as an important characteristic reaction of carboxilic acids. The script uses the reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol to produce ethyl acetate and water as an example, emphasizing that esterification is reversible and can be influenced by the removal of water.

💡Esters

Esters are organic compounds resulting from the esterification reaction between a carboxilic acid and an alcohol. They are characterized by pleasant smells and are used in flavorings and perfumes. The script lists several esters and their associated smells, such as methyl butyrate (bananas), pentyl acetate (pears), and octyl acetate (oranges), illustrating their diverse applications in the food and cosmetic industries.

💡Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. In the context of the script, concentrated sulfuric acid is mentioned as a catalyst in the esterification reaction, speeding up the formation of esters. It also acts to remove water, which shifts the equilibrium towards the formation of more ester, according to Le Chatelier's principle.

💡Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of the equilibrium will shift to counteract the change. In the script, this principle is applied to the esterification reaction, where the addition of sulfuric acid as a catalyst and dehydrating agent drives the reaction towards the formation of esters by removing water.

💡Flavorings and Perfumes

Esters are noted for their characteristic smells and are used in the creation of flavorings and perfumes. The script emphasizes this application by mentioning how esters are responsible for the flavors of foods and the scents of flowers. This highlights the practical use of chemical knowledge in creating everyday products that enhance sensory experiences.

💡Soap

Soap is mentioned as a salt of a fatty acid, which is an ester derived from the reaction of fatty acids with glycerol. The script uses soap as an example of how carboxilic acid derivatives are used in everyday products, showcasing the practical applications of chemistry in personal care and hygiene.

Highlights

Carboxilic acids are widely found in nature.

Methanolic acid, also known as formic acid, is derived from the Latin 'formica' due to its presence in red ants.

Ethanoic acid, commonly called acetic acid, originates from the Latin 'acetum', meaning sour wine.

Ethanedioic acid, known as oxalic acid, is toxic and found in rhubarb leaves.

Carboxilic acids contain the carboxy group, consisting of a carbonyl and a hydroxy group.

Carboxilic acids react as typical acids with metals, bases, and carbonates to form salts.

Esterification is a key reaction where carboxilic acids react with alcohols to form esters and water.

Esterification is a reversible reaction, demonstrated by the equilibrium arrows in the reaction.

Concentrated sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst and dehydrating agent in esterification.

Esters have characteristic smells and are used in flavorings and perfumes.

Examples of esters include methyl butyrate (smells like bananas), pentyl acetate (smells like pears), and octyl acetate (smells like oranges).

Animal fats, vegetable fats, and oils are esters of long-chain fatty acids and glycerol.

Soap is a salt derived from the reaction of fatty acids with sodium hydroxide.

Carboxilic acids are essential in the catering and cosmetic industries due to their properties and reactions.

The video also discusses Le Chatelier's principle in the context of esterification.

Vinegar is a dilute solution of ethanoic acid, resulting from the oxidation of ethanol in wine.

The video provides a comprehensive overview of carboxilic acids, their reactions, and applications.

Transcripts

[Music]

carboxilic acids are found widely in

nature here are three examples first up

methanolic acid methanolic acid is

commonly called formic acid from the

Latin for ant formica as it is the

compound red ants inject into their prey

it was first isolated by distilling red

ants secondly ethanoic acid ethanoic

acid is commonly called acetic acid from

the Latin acetum meaning sour wine this

is because wine which is a solution of

ethanol is oxidized in the air to

ethanolic

acid vinegar is a dilute solution of

ethanoic acetic

acid then e ethane dioic acid ethane

dioic acid commonly called oxalic acid

is toxic and is found in rhubarb leaves

and that is why we should never eat them

carboxilic acids contain the carboxy

group as shown in the video this is made

up of a carbonal group and a hydroxy

group let's have a look at the reactions

of carboxilic acids carboxilic acids

react as typical acids

these are number one acid plus metal

goes to Salt plus hydrogen for example

ethanoic acid plus sodium to sodium

ethanoate and

hydrogen number two acid and base goes

to Salt plus water for example ethanolic

acid and sodium hydroxide become sodium

ethanoate and

water and three acid plus carbonate go

to Salt plus carbon dioxide plus water

for example ethanolic acid and sodium

carbonate to sodium ethanoate carbon

dioxide and

water carboxylic acids also give another

important reaction called

esterification here they react with

alcohols to give an Esther plus water an

example is ethanolic acid and ethanol to

ethy Ethan

and water this is a reversible reaction

which can be seen from the directions of

the two arrows

shown in this reaction a few drops of

concentrated sulfuric acid are added

this sulfuric acid acts as both a

catalyst and to remove the water formed

thereby displacing the equilibrium to

the right following L chatellier's

principle if you don't know this

principle yet no problem we have a video

about it right here just just for

you now let's take a look at what Esters

are actually used for Esters have

characteristic smells and are

responsible for the flavor of foods and

smell of flowers they are therefore

useful as flavorings and perfumes some

examples of Esters together with their

smells are three methy buyle ethanoate

or

bananas pentile ethanoate pears and

octile ethanoate

oranges animal fats vegetable fats and

oils are Esters of longchain fatty acids

and glycerol a soap is a salt of a fatty

acid check out our water and soap

video so to recap carboxilic acids

contain the carboxy group they show the

typical reactions of

acid with alcohols they undergo

aerification to produce Esters and

Esters are used in the catering and

cosmetic

Industries