ALKANOIC ACIDS

CONTENT

1. Sources, Nomenclature and Structure of Alkanoic Acids
2. Physical and Chemical Properties of Alkanoic Acid
3. Laboratory Test and Uses of Alkanoic Acid

Sources, Nomenclature and Structure of Alkanoic Acids

Alkanoic acids have carboxylic group as their functional group i.e. –COOH. The general molecular formula is C_nH_2n+1COOH. They occur in fats and oils. They are prepared in the laboratory by the oxidation of primary alkanols with excess acidified potassium tetraoxomanganate (vii).

General Structure of Alkanoic Acid

The name of any alkanoic acid ends with –oic

1. Methanoic acid or formic acid (from insect bite)  HCOOH
2. Ehanoic acid  CH₃COOH.
3. Propanoic acid  CH₃CH₂COOH

Propanoic Acid

4. Butanoic acid   CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH

EVALUATION

1. State the general formula of alkanoic acid.
2. Draw the structural formula of 3-carboxyl-3-hydroxylpentanedioic acid
3. draw the structural isomers of an alkanoic acid with the formula C₇H₁₄O₂

Physical and Chemical Properties of Alkanoic Acid

Physical Properties of Alkanoic Acid

1.