# Methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol are the first four members of a homologous series of alcohols. Alcohols can be oxidised to form carboxylic acids. Describe the relationship between alcohols and carboxylic acids, including the functional groups involved, the names of the carboxylic acids formed from methanol and ethanol, and the typical acidic properties shown by carboxylic acids.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry A (H432) — 6.1 Aromatic compounds, carbonyls and acids · Describe · 5 marks

> A student is investigating organic compounds in the laboratory. She notices that when certain alcohols are oxidised, they produce compounds with a sharp, pungent smell and acidic properties.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Alcohols contain the functional group –OH
2. Carboxylic acids contain the functional group –COOH
3. Methanol is oxidised to form methanoic acid
4. Ethanol is oxidised to form ethanoic acid
5. Carboxylic acids show typical acidic properties, such as reacting with carbonates to produce carbon dioxide / reacting with metals to produce hydrogen / having a pH below 7

## Key terms

- [alcohols](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alcohols)
- [carboxylic acids](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/carboxylic-acids)
- [functional group](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/functional-group)
- [oxidised](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/oxidised)
- [homologous series](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/homologous-series)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry A (H432)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/methanol-ethanol-propanol-and-butanol-are-7c0d27f3) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.