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Carboxylic Acids and Esters from the Carbonyl

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A carboxylic acid's carbonyl carbon bonds to a hydroxyl group, giving a weakly acidic hydrogen; an ester forms when the acid reacts with an alcohol, replacing that hydrogen.

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Acetic acid reacting with ethanol forms ester ethyl acetate, releasing water.

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A carboxylic acid's ionizable hydrogen sits on its hydroxyl oxygen, not the carbon chain, so only it accounts for the acidity.