S N 1 REACTIONS

S N 2 REACTIONS
Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to form esters (RCOOR′). An ester is derived from the acid
by the replacement of the –OH in the carboxyl group with an –OR group from the alcohol.
Thus ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, reacts with methanol, CH3OH, to produce methyl ethanoate,
CH3COOCH3. Water is also produced in the reaction. This type of reaction, in which two
molecules containing functional groups react to produce a larger molecule and a small
molecule (often water) is eliminated, is called a condensation reaction.
Esters undergo acid and alkaline hydrolysis to yield carboxylic acids and alcohols.
They react with ammonia to produce amides.
. An amide is derived from the acid by the replacement of the –OH ion in the carboxyl
group with an –NH2 group from an amine or ammonia molecule.
Amino acids are molecules that contain both an amino and a carboxyl functional group.
When both groups are attached to the same central carbon atom, a 2-amino acid results
(also known as an α-amino acid). Twenty such 2-amino acids are found naturally, differing in
the side group, these twenty 2-amino acids are the basic units of the proteins found in all
living things.