Ever wondered how alcohol burns or why wine turns into... Show more
Chemistry71 views·Updated Jun 7, 2026·2 pagesOrganic Chemistry Basics: Alcohols, Acids, and Esters
Aliki 🩵@study_wabbit
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Oxidation of Ethanol and Carboxylic Acids
Ethanol can be oxidised in three main ways, each producing different results. Complete combustion happens when ethanol burns in air, producing carbon dioxide and water with a faint blue flame - this is what occurs in alcohol burners.
Microbial oxidation is far more interesting for everyday life. When wine or beer is left open for several days, bacteria use oxygen to convert the ethanol into ethanoic acid, giving that sharp vinegary taste. This same process is how vinegar is actually made commercially.
The third method involves heating ethanol with potassium dichromate in dilute sulfuric acid. This redox reaction also produces ethanoic acid and is the chemical basis for breathalyser tests - the colour change from orange dichromate to green chromium ions shows how much alcohol is present.
Carboxylic acids all contain the COOH functional group. The most common ones you'll encounter are methanoic acid (HCOOH) and ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH). These are weak acids because the hydrogen in the COOH group doesn't come off as easily as in strong acids like sulfuric acid. They still react with metals and carbonates though, just less vigorously, forming carboxylate salts (like ethanoate from ethanoic acid).
Quick Tip: Remember that carboxylic acids are weak acids - they react like other acids but much more gently!
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Esters and Esterification
Esters contain the COO functional group and are responsible for most artificial food flavourings and perfumes you encounter daily. That banana flavouring in sweets? That's an ester doing its job.
Esterification is the reaction that creates esters: carboxylic acid + alcohol → ester + water. This is a reversible reaction and also a condensation reaction because water is produced as a small molecule is eliminated.
For example, when ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol, you get ethyl ethanoate plus water. The water forms when the OH from the acid combines with the H from the alcohol - it's like molecular Lego coming together.
Naming esters follows a simple pattern: take the alcohol name then add the carboxylate name . So methanol becomes methyl, ethanol becomes ethyl, and ethanoic acid becomes ethanoate. Put them together and ethanol + ethanoic acid gives you ethyl ethanoate.
Memory Hook: Think "alcohol-yl car-oate" - the alcohol part comes first with -yl, then the acid part with -oate!
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Chemistry71 views·Updated Jun 7, 2026·2 pagesOrganic Chemistry Basics: Alcohols, Acids, and Esters
Aliki 🩵@study_wabbit
Ever wondered how alcohol burns or why wine turns into vinegar when left open? This topic explores the fascinating world of ethanol oxidation and introduces you to carboxylic acids and esters - compounds that are everywhere from your kitchen vinegar... Show more
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Oxidation of Ethanol and Carboxylic Acids
Ethanol can be oxidised in three main ways, each producing different results. Complete combustion happens when ethanol burns in air, producing carbon dioxide and water with a faint blue flame - this is what occurs in alcohol burners.
Microbial oxidation is far more interesting for everyday life. When wine or beer is left open for several days, bacteria use oxygen to convert the ethanol into ethanoic acid, giving that sharp vinegary taste. This same process is how vinegar is actually made commercially.
The third method involves heating ethanol with potassium dichromate in dilute sulfuric acid. This redox reaction also produces ethanoic acid and is the chemical basis for breathalyser tests - the colour change from orange dichromate to green chromium ions shows how much alcohol is present.
Carboxylic acids all contain the COOH functional group. The most common ones you'll encounter are methanoic acid (HCOOH) and ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH). These are weak acids because the hydrogen in the COOH group doesn't come off as easily as in strong acids like sulfuric acid. They still react with metals and carbonates though, just less vigorously, forming carboxylate salts (like ethanoate from ethanoic acid).
Quick Tip: Remember that carboxylic acids are weak acids - they react like other acids but much more gently!
2
of 2Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
Esters and Esterification
Esters contain the COO functional group and are responsible for most artificial food flavourings and perfumes you encounter daily. That banana flavouring in sweets? That's an ester doing its job.
Esterification is the reaction that creates esters: carboxylic acid + alcohol → ester + water. This is a reversible reaction and also a condensation reaction because water is produced as a small molecule is eliminated.
For example, when ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol, you get ethyl ethanoate plus water. The water forms when the OH from the acid combines with the H from the alcohol - it's like molecular Lego coming together.
Naming esters follows a simple pattern: take the alcohol name then add the carboxylate name . So methanol becomes methyl, ethanol becomes ethyl, and ethanoic acid becomes ethanoate. Put them together and ethanol + ethanoic acid gives you ethyl ethanoate.
Memory Hook: Think "alcohol-yl car-oate" - the alcohol part comes first with -yl, then the acid part with -oate!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content: Foundation 5: Chemical Processes
1Most popular content in Chemistry
9Most popular content
9Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5App Store
4.7/5Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan SiOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha KlichAndroid user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
AnnaiOS user