Reactions of Carboxylic Acids Involving the Separation of H Atom
Reaction of Carboxylic Acids with Metals
Carboxylic acids react with active metals such as Na, K, Ca, Mg to form their respective salts. In the process they liberate H2 gas.
Reaction of Carboxylic Acids with Alkalies
Carboxylic acids react with alkalies to yield their respective salts and water.
Reaction of Carboxylic Acids with Carbonates and Bicarbonates
Carboxylic acids decompose carbonate and bicarbonate producing CO2 gas.
Test for COOH group : Carboxylic acids give effervescence due to evolution of CO2 with saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. Most of the phenols do not produce effervescence with aqueous solution of NaHCO3; therefore, this reaction is used to distinguish phenols from carboxylic acids.