Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only) common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing carboxylic acids with alcohols

  Students often think that alcohols are as acidic as carboxylic acids.

  Fix itRemember that carboxylic acids can donate a proton due to the presence of the carboxyl group, while alcohols cannot.

• Confusing esterification with hydrolysis

  Students often confuse the processes of esterification and hydrolysis, mixing up the reactants and products.

  Fix itRemember that esterification forms an ester and water, while hydrolysis breaks down an ester into a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

• Confusing acyl chlorides with carboxylic acids

  Students often confuse the reactivity of acyl chlorides with that of carboxylic acids.

  Fix itRemember that acyl chlorides are more reactive than carboxylic acids due to the presence of the chlorine atom, which is a good leaving group.

• Confusing acyl chlorides with carboxylic acids

  Students often confuse the reactivity and products of acyl chlorides with those of carboxylic acids.

  Fix itRemember that acyl chlorides are more reactive than carboxylic acids and can form esters and amides through nucleophilic addition-elimination.