CHEMISTRY PROJECT FILE

Topic: Carboxylic Acids

Submitted By: Syed Ziyaad Qasim

Session: 2025–26
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Chemistry teacher for guiding
me throughout this project. I also thank my friends and classmates for their
encouragement and support in completing this project successfully. This project
helped me enhance my understanding of organic chemistry, particularly the
fascinating group of compounds known as carboxylic acids.
 Certificate
This is to certify that Syed Ziyaad Qasim, a student of Class XII (Science
Stream), has successfully completed the Chemistry project work titled “Study of
Carboxylic Acids” under my guidance during the academic session 2025–26.

Teacher’s Signature: __________________

1. Aim
2. Introduction
3. General Formula and Structure
4. Nomenclature
5. Methods of Preparation
6. Physical Properties
7. Chemical Properties
8. Tests for Carboxylic Acids
9. Uses and Applications
10. Environmental Importance
11. Conclusion
12. Bibliography
 Aim
To study the structure, preparation, properties, and uses of Carboxylic Acids, one
of the most important functional groups in organic chemistry. The project aims to
explain the relevance of carboxylic acids in daily life and industrial applications,
and to understand their chemical behavior in detail.
 Introduction
Carboxylic acids are a group of organic compounds containing the carboxyl
functional group (–COOH). They are widely present in nature, occurring in fruits,
fats, and living organisms. These acids are weak acids but play vital roles in both
biological and industrial processes. Examples include formic acid in ants and
acetic acid in vinegar. Understanding carboxylic acids helps in learning
fundamental reactions and organic chemistry principles.
 General Formula and Structure
The general formula of carboxylic acids is R–COOH, where R represents an alkyl
or aryl group. The carbon atom in the –COOH group is sp² hybridized, forming a
planar structure. Resonance between the carbonyl (C=O) and hydroxyl (–OH)
groups stabilizes the molecule. This unique structure explains their acidic behavior
and ability to form hydrogen bonds, leading to higher boiling points.
 Nomenclature
Carboxylic acids can be named using the common system or the IUPAC system.
Common names are often derived from the source or natural occurrence, such as
formic acid (from ants) and acetic acid (from vinegar). In the IUPAC system, the
name ends with –oic acid, replacing the –e of the corresponding alkane. For
example, HCOOH is Methanoic acid, CH■COOH is Ethanoic acid, and
C■H■COOH is Benzenecarboxylic acid.
 Methods of Preparation
1. Oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes, e.g., ethanol to ethanoic acid using
potassium dichromate. 2. Hydrolysis of nitriles, e.g., R–CN + 2H■O → R–COOH +
NH■. 3. Carbonation of Grignard reagents, e.g., R–MgX + CO■ → R–COOH. 4.
Oxidation of alkyl benzenes, e.g., toluene oxidized to benzoic acid. These methods
cover both laboratory synthesis and industrial production.
 Physical Properties
Carboxylic acids have characteristic sour odors and are liquids or solids depending
on molecular weight. Lower carboxylic acids are soluble in water due to hydrogen
bonding. They have high boiling points compared to alcohols and aldehydes of
similar molecular mass, again due to hydrogen bonding. The solubility decreases
with increasing chain length, while melting points increase with mass.
 Chemical Properties
1. Acidic nature: R–COOH ■ R–COO■ + H■. Carboxylic acids react with bases to
form salts. 2. Reaction with metals: produce hydrogen gas. 3. Esterification with
alcohols in the presence of acid catalyst: CH■COOH + C■H■OH →
CH■COOC■H■ + H■O. 4. Reduction to alcohols using LiAlH■. 5.
Decarboxylation: salts heated with soda lime produce hydrocarbons. These
reactions illustrate both functional group transformations and practical uses.
 Tests for Carboxylic Acids
1. Litmus test: turns blue litmus red. 2. Reaction with sodium bicarbonate:
produces effervescence due to CO■ release. 3. Ester test: reacts with alcohol and
concentrated H■SO■ to produce a sweet-smelling ester. These tests confirm the
presence of the –COOH group in a compound.
 Uses and Applications
Carboxylic acids are widely used in industry and daily life. Acetic acid is used in
vinegar and plastics, formic acid in leather tanning, and benzoic acid as a food
preservative. They are also intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals,
dyes, perfumes, and soaps. Fatty acids, long-chain carboxylic acids, are essential
components of fats and oils.
 Environmental Importance
Carboxylic acids are biodegradable and play key roles in nature, such as in the
citric acid cycle for energy production. They are used in eco-friendly cleaning
agents and contribute to sustainable chemical processes. Understanding their
environmental impact highlights the importance of green chemistry and renewable
resources.
 Conclusion
Through this project, I have learned that carboxylic acids are essential in both
natural and industrial processes. Their versatile chemical reactions and
widespread occurrence in everyday life make them a crucial topic in organic
chemistry. Studying them strengthens our understanding of functional groups,
reaction mechanisms, and practical applications.
 Bibliography
1. NCERT Chemistry Textbook (Class XII, Part II) 2. Morrison and Boyd – Organic
Chemistry 3. Wikipedia – Carboxylic Acids 4. Chemistry LibreTexts