Carboxylic acids can undergo reduction reactions. Reduction is the opposite of oxidation. For example, ethanoic acid (CH 3 COOH) can be formed by the oxidation of ethanol as shown below.

an 18-carbon saturated fatty acid. The normal numbering system, starting with the carboxylic acid, is shown in blue. The carbons and oxygens of the carboxylic acid functional group are red.

Carbon chemistry involves many different families of compounds and the reactions needed to interchange them. Understanding the properties of different compounds caused by functional groups and ...