Carboxylic acids — KCSE Chemistry

KCSE Chemistry · 54 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

18 easy16 medium20 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Name and write structural formulae of carboxylic acids and describe their preparation by oxidation of alcohols

Describe the reactions of carboxylic acids: with metals, carbonates, bases and alcohols (esterification)

Write equations for esterification reactions and describe the uses of common esters

Carboxylic acids

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easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

Identify two characteristics of carboxylic acids that distinguish them from alcohols. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

Carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl group (-COOH), whereas alcohols contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) (1 mk)

Carboxylic acids are typically more acidic than alcohols due to the presence of the carboxyl group (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

State four uses of alkanoic acids (carboxylic acids) in everyday life or industry.

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Part (a) — 4 marks

Ethanoic acid (vinegar) is used as a food preservative and seasoning/flavouring (1 mk)

In the manufacture of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and other pharmaceuticals (1 mk)

In the manufacture of esters used in perfumes, flavourings, and solvents (1 mk)

In the textile industry for dyeing and printing fabrics / in the manufacture of plastics (e.g., PVA from ethanoic acid) (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER1 mark

Give the IUPAC name for the carboxylic acid with the structural formula: (CH₃)₂CHCH₂COOH

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Part (a) — 1 mark

IUPAC name: propanoic acid (1 mk)

Name the ester formed and state one industrial or domestic use for the ester produced from ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and butanoic acid (C₃H₇COOH).

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