A carboxylic acid is one which contains -COOH as its functional group. In comparison to mineral acids, carboxylic acids show some similarities, but also, some important differences.

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.

However, this process involves complex reactions, including the activation ... CO, and O 2 to CH 3 COOH with both high catalytic activity and selectivity for mild CH 4 conversion.