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CAIE AS Chemistry 18.1 Carboxylic Acids

Practise preparing carboxylic acids and writing their metal, base, carbonate, esterification and reduction reactions, explaining acidity and reagent choices in exam contexts.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
AS

Exam points

  • prepare an acid by reflux oxidation or by nitrile or ester hydrolysis with the correct work-up
  • write acid reactions with metals, alkalis and carbonates, including salts and gaseous observations
  • select concentrated H2SO4 for esterification or LiAlH4 to reduce the acid to a primary alcohol

Covered syllabus points

18.1.1—Preparation of carboxylic acids18.1.2—Describe

18.1 Carboxylic acids question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Y is made from Q in a three-step reaction.

Fig. 5.4

Fig. 5.4

In step 2, W is heated with HCl(aq) to produce X and an inorganic product.

Identify the formula of the inorganic product.

18.1 Carboxylic acids question 2

[Maximum number: 2]

Allyl chloride is an important chemical used in the manufacture of plastics, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

allyl chloride

allyl chloride

A series of reactions starting from allyl chloride is shown.

Figure for Question 18.1 Carboxylic acids question 2 — CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS

In reaction 2, the organic product of reaction 1 is mixed with concentrated H2SO4\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4} and an organic acid, and then heated under reflux.

State the role of the concentrated H2SO4\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}. Identify the organic acid used.
role of the concentrated H2SO4\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}
identity of the organic acid

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