Chapter 19, Problem 56PE

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The products formed in the reaction between acetic acid and potassium hydroxide has to be determined and the equation has to be completed..

Concept Introduction:

Carboxylic acids are organic acids because the hydrogen in the carboxyl functional group is acidic. These acids are not strong as compared to the mineral acids. The carboxyl functional group in the carboxylic acids can be written as follows.

Metal hydroxides are inorganic compounds that form the basic solution when they dissolved in water. The general formula for the metal hydroxides are $\text{MOH}$ or $\text{M}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_2$. Here, $\text{M}$ represents alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and so on.

Reaction of carboxylic acids with metal hydroxides:

The carboxylic acid is a weak acid and dissociates partially in the aqueous solution. It can react with a strong base such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, results in the formation of the salt and water.

The general chemical reactions for the reaction between carboxylic acids and metal hydroxides are shown below.

$\text{RCOOH + MOH}\stackrel{}{\to }\text{RCOOM}\text{+}{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

$\text{2RCOOH + M}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_{\text{2}}\stackrel{}{\to }{\left(\text{RCOO}\right)}_{\text{2}}\text{M}\text{+}2{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The products formed in the reaction between benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol has to be determined and the equation has to be completed.

Concept Introduction:

Reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols:

The carboxylic acids can react with alcohols in the presence of an acid-catalyst with input of heat to form ester and water. This reaction is called esterification reaction which is a reversible reaction.

The general chemical reactions for the reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols are shown below.

$\text{RCOOH + R'OH}\underset{\text{Δ}}{\overset{{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}}{\rightleftharpoons }}\text{RCOOR'}\text{+}{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$