Contextualization

Carboxylic acids are organic substances that belong to a class of compounds that have a very common functional group, the carboxyl group (–COOH). This group consists of one carbon, two oxygens, and one hydrogen, presenting acidic characteristics. These substances, also called organic acids, are present in various materials in our daily lives, such as oranges and lemons (citric acid), vinegar (acetic acid), and even in human metabolism, in the form of lactic acid.

Carboxylic acids are fundamental to Organic Chemistry, as they are precursors to many other classes of organic compounds. Therefore, the study of carboxylic acids allows for a broader and deeper understanding of Organic Chemistry and its various branches and applications, bridging to other groups of organic compounds, such as esters and amides.

The relevance of understanding carboxylic acids extends beyond the academic world. They are present in many products in our daily lives, from food to cleaning products. For example, acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, is a carboxylic acid and has wide culinary use. Another example is salicylic acid, present in many skincare products, which helps treat and prevent acne.

To delve deeper into the subject of carboxylic acids, we recommend the following sources for consultation:

• Book "Organic Chemistry" by Paula Yurkanis Bruice, especially Chapter 17, "Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives".
• Specific website about chemistry, such as Mundo Educação, which contains detailed information about carboxylic acids.
• Explanatory YouTube videos on the topic, such as those available on Professor Khemani's channel.

Practical Activity: "Carboxylic Acids in Everyday Life"

Project Objectives

1. Understand the fundamental concepts of carboxylic acids and their properties.
2. Identify the presence and importance of carboxylic acids in everyday products.
3. Develop teamwork, research, understanding, and knowledge presentation skills.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 and will carry out an investigative project on the presence and importance of different carboxylic acids in everyday products. Students must research, identify, and present at least three examples of products from their daily lives that contain carboxylic acids, explaining the role these acids play in the respective products. The products can be food, medications, cleaning products, cosmetics, etc.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Notebook for notes.
• Camera (from a cellphone or other device) for documentation.
• Presentation material (can be digital or physical, depending on resource availability).

Step by Step

Step 1: Research and Product Selection

Each group should research and choose at least three different products that contain carboxylic acids. They must gather all relevant information about these carboxylic acids, such as their chemical formulas, properties, and functions in the products.

Step 2: Documentation

Students must document their findings in an organized and detailed manner. They should include information about each product and the carboxylic acid present in it. Photos of the product and label (showing the ingredients) are also necessary.

Step 3: Report Preparation

Each group needs to prepare a project report that includes the sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. In the introduction, they should explain the project's theme and its relevance. In the development, they should detail the products and carboxylic acids found, with appropriate photographs. In the conclusion, they should discuss the importance and prevalence of carboxylic acids in everyday life, and the learnings from the activity. The bibliographic references of the research materials used should be noted in the Bibliography.

Step 4: Presentation

Each group will present their project to the class, explaining the carboxylic acids they identified, where they are found, and why they are important. Each group member must actively participate in the presentation.

This project should be completed within a month, where each group member should contribute equitably. It is estimated that each student will spend between five and ten hours working on the project.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables of this project are:

1. Written project report.
2. Oral presentation of the project to the class.

The successful completion of this project will allow students not only to understand carboxylic acids but also to see their application in the real world, helping them understand the relevance of chemical concepts in everyday products. Additionally, working in teams will help improve their communication and collaboration skills.