Question

Describe litmus test of carboxylic acid.

Answer 1

Litmus test is a test to differentiate between acidic basic and neutral conditions. Litmus test is done with the help of litmus paper which turns its colors as per the type of solution, whether it is acidic alkaline or basic.

Complete answer:
Purpose of Litmus Test: Litmus test is used to detect whether the solution is acidic, basic or neutral. Litmus Paper is used to detect this. When red litmus paper turns blue then the solution is basic. And when blue litmus paper is turned into red then the solution is acidic. For neutral solution paper turns purple in color.
Uses of Litmus Test:
The main use of litmus is to test whether a solution is acidic or basic.
Wet litmus paper can also be used to test for water-soluble gases that affect acidity or basicity; the gas dissolves in the water and the resulting solution colors the litmus paper. Ammonia gas turns red litmus blue, as ammonia gas is alkaline in nature.
In the given question we have to describe the litmus test of carboxylic acid.
So if we put carboxylic acid in blue litmus solution the solution turns red in color which implies that the solution is acidic in nature, that is carboxylic acid is acidic in nature.
The chemical reaction is written as: $R-COOH + H_2O \to R-COO^- + H_3O^+$

Note: If the ph of the solution is between 0 and 7 then the solution is acidic. If the ph of the solution is 7 then the solution is neutral. If the ph of the solution is between 7 and 14 then the solution is alkaline or basic in nature.