OXIDATION PRODUCTS OF ALCOHOLS 47 



group that gives to acids their distinctive acid properties. The 

 organic acids, like the inorganic, are neutralized by bases form- 

 ing salts. In organic acids it is always this hydroxyl hydrogen 

 which is replaced by metals in forming salts and also this 

 hydroxyl hydrogen which becomes the positive ion (kation) 

 when the acid dissociates in water solution. The formation of 

 salts by neutralization of an acid by a base may be illustrated 

 by the following reactions : 



H - COOH + KOH -> H - COOK + H2O 



Formic acid Potassium formate 



CH3 - COOH + NaOH -^ CH3 - COONa + H2O 



Acetic acid Sodium acetate 



R - COOH + MOH -> R - COOM + H2O 



Any acid Any salt 



Acetic acid series. — The monobasic acids derived from the 

 hydrocarbons of the paraffin series which are of especial im- 

 portance in our study are given below. They are known as the 

 acetic acid series and also as fatty acids as explained later. 



Acetic Acid Series 



