1. Reactions as acids

2. Reactions of alcohols with sodium
Alcohols react with the reactive metal sodium, forming a sodium salt and hydrogen
For example, ethanol reacts with sodium forming sodium ethoxide and hydrogen

3. Reaction of ethanol with sodium

4. Acidic nature of the carboxylic acid group
Ethanoic acid is a far stronger acid than ethanol
This is because its anion is much more stable than that of ethanol
This enables it to lose a hydrogen ion more readily
The stability of the ethanoate ion is due to electron delocalisation (as in benzene)

5. Reactions of carboxylic acids as acids
Carboxylic acids react with:
Magnesium, forming a magnesium salt and hydrogen
Sodium hydroxide, forming a sodium salt and hydrogen
Sodium carbonate, forming a sodium salt , carbon dioxide and water

6. Reaction of ethanoic acid with magnesium
Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
2 CH3COOH + Mg → (CH3COO)2Mg + H2
ethanoic acid magnesium ethanoate

7. Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide
Acid Base → Salt Water
CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O
ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate

8. Reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate
Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2
ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate