CHAPTER 14: Unit 3. Preparation of carboxylic Acids

Preparation of carboxylic Acids

Learning Objective

1. Describe the preparation of carboxylic acids.

Carboxylic Acids are synthesized through oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes using strong oxidizing agents. Aromatic carboxylic acids can be prepared by oxidizing a carbon chain on a benzene derivative using a strong oxidizing agent. Typical oxidizing agents are potassium permanganate(KMnO₄) for alkylbenzene and H₂CrO₄ for aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes.

primary alcohol.. [O]….> Aldehyde..[O]….> Carboxylic acid

Wikipedia

IN CLASS PRACTICE PROBLEMS

What is the major product of the following reaction?

Homework Exercises

1. Caproic acid (hexanoic acid) can be prepared in an oxidation reaction from

a. what alcohol?

b. what aldehyde?

2. Give the structures of the aldehyde and the carboxylic acid formed by the oxidation of isobutyl alcohol [(CH₃)₂CHCH₂OH].

Answers

1.

a. CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH

b. CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CHO

2.