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.
Salts of Carboxylic Acids. The ionic nature of the salts makes them water soluble. Carboxylic acids, acid chlorides, and acid anhydrides react with alcohols to produce esters. Polyesters result from the reaction of dicarboxylic acids and diols. Nomenclature of Esters.