What is a carboxylic acid? Give an example.

Organic compounds are the basis of all life on Earth, consisting primarily of carbon atoms combined with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. Carbon is incredibly versatile, capable of forming four covalent bonds with other atoms, which allows for a vast diversity of organic molecules. The study of these compounds falls under the branch of chemistry known as organic chemistry.

One distinguishing feature of organic compounds is their ability to form long chains and rings through carbon–carbon bonds, creating complex structures. This complexity enables the formation of an array of substances, ranging from simple gases like methane, to vast macromolecules such as proteins and DNA in living organisms. In the context of carboxylic acids, the involved organic compounds contain at least one carboxyl group, which is crucial to their reactivity and properties.

The carboxyl group, often denoted as -COOH, is an essential feature of carboxylic acids and significantly influences their chemical behavior. To understand this group, envision it as a combination of a carbonyl group (a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom) and a hydroxyl group (an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom).

The presence of both electronegative oxygen atoms creates a polar environment, making the carboxyl group reactive, especially to nucleophilic attack, where electrons are donated by another atom or molecule. Moreover, it can ionize by losing the hydrogen atom from the hydroxyl part, which renders carboxylic acids acidic in nature. This characteristic ability to donate a proton is what actually makes any compound containing a carboxyl group an acid. In aqueous solutions, this contributes to the formation of carboxylate ions and hydronium ions, thereby influencing the pH of the solution.

Acetic acid, with the molecular formula \( C_2H_4O_2 \) and also known as ethanoic acid, is a simple and well-known example of a carboxylic acid. Its structure \( CH_3COOH \) reveals a single carboxyl group attached to a methyl group \( CH_3 \) . This organic compound finds its place in numerous applications, most famously as the active component in vinegar. Beyond the kitchen, acetic acid is used industrially as a precursor for polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate, both of which are important in the production of materials like synthetic fibers and adhesives.

In its concentrated form, acetic acid is a corrosive liquid and handles with care. Its acidic properties emerge from its ability to donate a proton \( H^+ \) from the hydroxyl part of the carboxyl group, which then forms the acetate ion \( CH_3COO^- \) and highlights the carboxyl group's role in contributing to acidity.