Carboxylsäuren

Carboxylsäuren, also known as carboxylic acids, are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carboxyl functional group. This group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). The general formula for a carboxylic acid is R-COOH, where R represents an alkyl group, aryl group, or hydrogen atom.

The carboxyl group is polar, making carboxylic acids generally soluble in water and other polar solvents. They are weak acids due to the ability of the hydroxyl group to donate a proton. The acidity of carboxylic acids varies depending on the nature of the R group. Electron-withdrawing groups attached to the R group tend to increase acidity, while electron-donating groups decrease it.

Carboxylic acids participate in various chemical reactions. They can react with bases to form salts, undergo esterification with alcohols to produce esters, and react with amines to form amides. They can also be reduced to primary alcohols.

Common examples of carboxylic acids include formic acid (HCOOH), the simplest carboxylic acid, acetic acid (CH3COOH), the main component of vinegar, and benzoic acid (C6H5COOH), an aromatic carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acids and their derivatives are widely found in nature and are essential in biological processes. They play roles in metabolism, and many are used industrially as solvents, preservatives, and precursors for polymers and pharmaceuticals.