Carboxylic acids

At the end of this activity, students should be able to:
– explain what carboxylic acids and esters are
– give the names and formulae of common carboxylic acids
– discuss the chemical properties of carboxylic acids (acidity of aqueous solutions)
– write down the reactions of ethanoic or methanoic acid with magnesium, copper(II) oxide and carbonates
– give examples of higher fatty acids
– discuss the structure of soaps
– write down the reaction for esterification and specify the conditions under which it proceeds.