Introduction:

The Carboxylic acids can be made up using the diverse methods.

Oxidation of Primary Alcohols and Aldehydes or ketones:

The Oxidation of primary alcohols and aldehydes or ketones provides carboxylic acids.

Fig: Oxidation of Primary Alcohols and aldehydes

The alcohol is heated under reflux with surplus oxidizing potassium dichromate (VI) or manganese (VII). The acid is separated from the reaction mixture.

For illustration:

CH₃ CH OH + (K₂Cr₂O₇/H⁺) reflux → CH₃ CHO + (K₂Cr₂O₇/H⁺) reflux → CH₃COOH

Benzoic acid can be made up from the oxidation of alky benzenes by using the acidified potassium tetraoxomanganate (vii) as the oxidizing agent.

Fig: Preparation of Benzoic acid

This reaction will merely be possible if 'R' is methyl or other alkyl group however not 3^o alkyl groups.

From Grignard's Reagent and CO₂:

This process is especially employed for the preparation of fatty acids.

Fig: Grignard's Reagent

Hydrolysis of Nitriles:

The hydrolysis of nitriles, R - C = N, in the acidic or alkaline medium provide carboxylic acids.

Fig: Hydrolysis of Nitriles

The reaction comprises the formation of an amide as the intermediate which is further hydrolyzed to a carboxylate. The carboxylate reacts by a dilute mineral acid to form the carboxylic acid.

Hydrolysis of Esters (Saponification):

The hydrolysis of esters might be accomplished through boiling under reflux with concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Fig: Hydrolysis of Esters

Cannizzaro Reaction:

This reaction is only undergone through aromatic aldehydes and those aliphatic ones having no α-hydrogen atoms.

For illustration:

2C₆H₅CHO + NaOH → C₂H₅COONa+ + C₆H₅CH₂OH

                     40-60%

If an appropriate aldehyde is treated by a concentrated aqueous solution of alkali at room temperature, it experiences simultaneous oxidation and reduction to yield the suitable salt of the carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

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