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19 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
This topic introduces the chemistry of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
learning outcomes Candidates should be able to:
19.1 Carboxylic acids a describe the formation of carboxylic acids from alcohols, aldehydes and
nitriles b describe the reactions of carboxylic acids in the formation of:
i salts, by the use of reactive metals, alkalis or carbonates ii alkyl esters
iii alcohols, by use of LiAlH
4
iv acyl chlorides c recognise that some carboxylic acids can be further oxidised:
i the oxidation of methanoic acid, HCO
2
H, with Fehling’s and Tollens’ reagents
ii the oxidation of ethanedioic acid, HO
2
CCO
2
H, with warm acidiied manganateVII
d explain the relative acidities of carboxylic acids, phenols and alcohols
e use the concept of electronegativity to explain the acidities of chlorine-substituted ethanoic acids
19.2 Acyl chlorides a describe the hydrolysis of acyl chlorides
b describe the reactions of acyl chlorides with alcohols, phenols, ammonia and primary amines
c explain the relative ease of hydrolysis of acyl chlorides, alkyl chlorides and aryl chlorides including the condensation addition-
elimination mechanism for the hydrolysis of acyl chlorides
19.3 Esters a describe the acid and base hydrolysis of esters
b state the major commercial uses of esters, e.g. solvents, perfumes, lavourings
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20 Nitrogen compounds
Many biological molecules contain nitrogen. This topic introduces the chemistry of a variety of organic compounds that contain nitrogen.
learning outcomes Candidates should be able to:
20.1 Primary amines a describe the formation of alkyl amines such as ethylamine by
the reaction of ammonia with halogenoalkanes; the reduction of amides with liAlH
4
; the reduction of nitriles with liAlH
4
or H
2
Ni and of phenylamine by the reduction of nitrobenzene with tin
concentrated HCl b describe and explain the basicity of amines
c explain the relative basicities of ammonia, ethylamine and phenylamine in terms of their structures
d describe the reaction of phenylamine with: i aqueous bromine
ii nitrous acid to give the diazonium salt and phenol e describe the coupling of benzenediazonium chloride and phenol and
the use of similar reactions in the formation of dyestuff 20.2 Amides
a describe the formation of amides from the reaction between NH
3
or RNH
2
and R’COCl b recognise that amides are neutral
c i describe amide hydrolysis on treatment with aqueous alkali or acid
ii describe the reduction of amides with liAlH
4
20.3 Amino acids a describe the acidbase properties of amino acids and the formation
of zwitterions b describe the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids to
give di- and tri-peptides c describe simply the process of electrophoresis and the effect of pH,
using peptides and amino acids as examples
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21 Polymerisation
This topic illustrates how small molecules join together to form polymers and how their properties are useful in everyday life.
learning outcomes Candidates should be able to:
21.1 Condensation polymerisation
