MODULE ASSESSMENT
CARBOXYLIC ACID
1. Explain the functional group of carboxylic acid. Compare it to Esters, alcohol,
aldehydes, and ketones. (Illustrate the functional groups and explain the
differences.)
According to the module, the functional group present in a carboxylic acid is a
combination of a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group wherein hydroxyl (single-
bonded OH) and carbonyl (double bonded O) groups. The carboxyl (COOH) group is
so-named because of the carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group. They include
carboxylic acids and amino acids. In the IUPAC system, these have the suffix -oic acid
which it can be written as (-COOH) or CO2H. However, the esters are represented by
the formula RCOOR’, where R and R’ are hydrocarbon groups. The ester, which is an
organic compound derived from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in which the OH of
the acid is replaced by an OR group, looks somewhat like an ether and also somewhat
like a carboxylic acid. Even so, compounds in this group react neither like carboxylic
acids nor like ethers; they make up a distinctive family. Unlike ethers, esters have a
carbonyl group. Unlike carboxylic acids, esters have no acidic hydrogen atom; they
have a hydrocarbon group in their place.
Meanwhile, alcohol is a molecule containing the hydroxyl functional group
(-OH) that is bonded to the carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl. Alcohols
also are those organic compounds that are characterized by the presence of
one, two, or more hydroxyl groups (−OH) that are attached to the carbon atom
in an alkyl group or hydrocarbon chain. it is all compounds with the formula R–
CHO. Here, –CHO is the functional group and R is either a hydrogen atom or a
carbon chain.
On the other hand, the functional group of aldehydes is composed of a
carbonyl group (C=O) linked to a hydrogen atom. The electrons of the carbonyl
group are pulled closer to oxygen than carbon, resulting in an electric dipole
moment. Lastly, the functional group of ketones is organic compounds having
the carbonyl group C=O and alkyl groups on both sides. They are represented
in the form of R-(C=0)-R', where R and R' are alkyl groups, present on the left
and right sides of the compound. They occur in the middle of a Carbon chain
because of the presence of alkyl on both ends. The IUPAC approves the
naming of ketones with the suffix 'one' like acetone, and pentanone, and can
undergo reduction to yield respective alcohols.
Illustration of the functional group Differences
• From the illustration provided, it can
be observed that a carboxylic acid
contains a hydroxyl group attached to
a carbonyl carbon. Due to the
electronegativity of the oxygen atom,
this functional group can undergo
ionization and discharge a proton.
Carboxylic acids have higher
priority than all the other functional
groups and therefore, they define the
parent chain and give the
corresponding suffix to the
compound’s name.
• In comparison to alcohols
and carboxylic acids, esters tend to
be polar less allowing for them to
have lower boiling points. Due to the
polar property of esters, they can
participate in hydrogen bonding as
hydrogen bond acceptors. Their
ability to participate in hydrogen
bonding depends on the length of the
alkyl chains attached to the ester
functional group.
• Alcohols are molecules containing
the hydroxyl functional group (-OH)
that is bonded to the carbon atom of
an alkyl or substituted alkyl. The
hydroxyl functional group strongly
contributes to the physical properties
of alcohols.
• Aldehydes are organic molecules
that contain a functional group that
consists of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen. The aldehyde formula is
often abbreviated as -CHO and -
RCHO where "R" represents the rest
of the organic molecule. In the
structural formula for an aldehyde,
the carbon is double bonded to the
oxygen in an arrangement known as
a carbonyl group (C=O).
• Ketones' chemical structure is formed
as R-CO-R. Here the C atom is
bonded doubly with oxygen atoms. A
ketone can never be found towards
the end of carbon because the
carbonyl bond is surrounded by the
alkyl group on the further side.
Ketones cannot be oxidized further
as they are already in their highest
oxidation form.
2. Draw the structural formula of the following:
a. 3-methyl hexanoic acid
b. Octanoic acid
c. Pentanoic acid
3. Give the IUPAC name of the following:
ANSWER:
1. Pentanoic acid
2. Methanoic acid
3. 2-methylbutanoic acid
4. 3-methylbutanoic acid
