Learning objective

Recall the first four members of a homologous series of carboxylic acids as methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid.

Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.

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Topic

Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only)

Subtopic

Carboxylic acids

AQA GCSE ChemistryOrganic chemistry

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Understand this objective

Short explanation

The first four members of the homologous series of carboxylic acids are methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid. Methanoic acid (HCOOH) is the simplest carboxylic acid, followed by ethanoic acid (CH3COOH), which is commonly known as acetic acid. Propanoic acid (C2H5COOH) and butanoic acid (C3H7COOH) follow in the series. Each of these acids contains the carboxyl functional group (–COOH), which is responsible for their acidic properties. Understanding these compounds is essential for recognizing their applications and reactions in organic chemistry.

Key concepts

carboxylic acidhomologous series

Why it matters

This objective helps connect Carboxylic acids to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only).

Common mistakes

1 linked

Mis‑naming the first four carboxylic acids: Remind students that the correct systematic names are methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid, and that the –ic acid suffix is applied to the parent alkane name (methane, ethane, propane, butane) with the –oic acid ending added.

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