Many of the simpler carboxylic acids are well known by common names. Aromatic acids are named as derivatives of benzoic acid. Physical Properties of Carboxylic Acids. At room temperature, low molecular weight carboxylic acids are liquids with distinctively sharp or unpleasant odors. High molecular weight, long chain acids are wax-like solids.
Carboxylic acids can readily hydrogen bond and have relatively high boiling points.
The low molecular weight carboxylic acids are soluble in water. The Acidity of Carboxylic Acids. As their name suggests, carboxylic acids behave as weak acids. They dissociate only slightly in water to form an equilibrium mixture with the carboxylate ion. Carboxylic acids react with bases to produce carboxylate salts and water.