A carboxylic acid is an organic compound containing a carboxyl group,-COOH.

Carboxyl group-containing carbonyl and a hydroxyl group; inter-action of these two groups resulted in a unique chemical reactivity and to carboxylic acid (Fessenden, 1997). Formic acid found in red ant (the origin of the name), beeswax, nettle, and so on (also a bit in the urine and sweat). Physical properties: liquid, colorless, damaged skin, smelling, perfectly soluble in H2O. Chemical properties: the strongest acid of the carboxylic acids, and aldehydes having acid groups (Riawan, 1990). Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is by far the most important carboxylic acids traded, industry and laboratories. Pure form is called glacial acetic acid because this compound is a solid such as ice when cooled. Glacial acetic acid is a colorless, flammable liquid (7 C melting point, boiling point 80 C), with the smell of spicy bite. Can be mixed with water and many organic solvents (Fessenden, 1997). As for the properties owned by the carboxylic acid is: 1. Salt Formation Reaction Organic salts that form and physical properties of inorganic salts padatannya, NaCl and KNO3 are organic salts that melt at high temperatures, soluble in water and does not smell. The reaction is: HCOOH + Na + + H2O HCOONa 2. Esterification Reaction Carboxylic acid ester group-containing compound is-COOR with R to form alkyl. Esters can be formed due to the direct reaction between carboxylic acid with alcohol. In general, the reaction is: R'OH RCOOH + H2O + RCOOR 3. Oxidation Reaction The reaction occurs in the combustion or the reagents are very sturdy and strong as sulfuric acid, CrO3, hot. Carboxylic acid is oxidized very slowly. 4. Carboxylic Acid Formation Some how the formation of a carboxylic acid with the synthesis can be classified in 3 ways: hydrolysis reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives, the oxidation reaction, the reaction Grignat (Fessenden, 1997). Carboxylic acid, with a base to form salts with alcohol and ether produce. Often found in fats and oils, so it is often also called fatty acids. Manufacturing, among others through the oxidation of primary

alcohols, secondary or aldehydes, oxidation of alkenes, alkynes oxidative hydrolysis of alkyl cyanides (a nitrile) with dilute HCl, ester hydrolysis with acid, hidroilisa acyl halides and organolithium reagents (Wilbraham, 1992).