Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids - Formula Sheet

Key Formulas and Chemical Relations

• General Formula for Aldehydes and Ketones: \(C_nH_{2n}O\)
• General Formula for Carboxylic Acids: \(C_nH_{2n}O_2\)
• Acid Dissociation Constant (\(K_a\)): \(K_a = \frac{[RCOO^-][H^+]}{[RCOOH]}\), where square brackets indicate the molar concentration of the species.
• Logarithmic Acidity (\(p K_a\)): \(p K_a = -\log_{10} K_a\); a lower \(p K_a\) value corresponds to a stronger acid.
• Popoff's Rule for Oxidation: For unsymmetrical ketones \(R-CO-R'\), the bond cleavage occurs such that the carbonyl group remains with the smaller alkyl group.
• Esterification Equilibrium: \(RCOOH + R'OH \rightleftharpoons RCOOR' + H_2O\), occurring in the presence of an acid catalyst.
• Relationship between pH and Hydronium Ion: \(pH = -\log_{10}[H_3O^+]\)