A SEMI-DETAILED LESSON PLAN IN

BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FIRST YEAR PHARMACY STUDENTS

I. Objectives
a. To identify the general structure of carboxylic acids, esters, and their
derivatives,
b. To introduce the different uses of carboxylic acids and esters that are
abundant in pharmaceutical industries
c. To determine the IUPAC and common names of basic carboxylic acids and
esters,
d. To explain the physical properties of the carboxylic acids; e.g solubility,
polarity, boiling/melting point, acidity
e. To provide the different uses of esters in flavour and fragrance and in
medications

II. Content and Materials

a. Topic: Carboxylic acids, Esters, and its acid derivatives

b. Time Duration: 90 minutes
c. Materials: Power point presentation about carboxylic acids, esters, and acid
derivates nomenclature and properties, textbook for Basic Organic Chemistry,
paper and pen, notebook
d. Reference: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 6th Edition by H.
Stephen Stoker, 8th Edition Organic Chemistry by John McMurry
e. Skills: Critical thinking, rationalization, memorization
f. Values Integration: Creative imagination
g. Strategies used: Discussion, active learning, game and learning check activities

III. Procedure
a. Lecture
1. Start with a question: “As a pharmacy student, what is the first thing
that comes up to your mind when you hear about Carboxylic acids?”
(Also, ask them first if they are familiar with carboxylic acids)
2. Follow up question: “Can you give an example of a Carboxylic acid?
And its pharmaceutical use?” (Based from their background
knowledge about pharmaceuticals)
3. Start the discussion with the structure of Carboxylic acid
4. Then, proceed on how carboxylic acids are prepared via oxidation of
primary alcohols and aromatic carboxylic acids

5. After, introduce the carboxylic acid derivatives but the lesson would
only be focused on carboxylic acids nomenclature and properties and
ester nomenclature

6. Discuss on the nomenclature of carboxylic acids on the following order

(1) IUPAC name
(2) Common name
7. And start introducing carboxylic acids of their common name and their
different importance to the pharmaceutical industry. Also, discuss to
them where these acids can be found in nature. Acids such as:
(1) Dicarboxylic acids
 (2) Aromatic acids
(3) Polyfunctional carboxylic acids: Unsaturated acids, Hydroxy
acids, and Keto acids
8. Provide them “Did you know?” trivia’s and chemical connections of
the some acids to pharmaceutical industries such as drug production
and cosmetic products

9. Highlight the carboxylic acid Citric Acid and discuss its important
properties to pharmaceuticals. It is considered as one of the most
essential component to several pharmaceutical products.
10. Discuss on the physical properties of carboxylic acid
(1) Odor and appearance
(2) Solubility
(3) Boiling point
(4) Melting point
(5) Acidity
11. Encourage students for questions and clarifications after the lecture.
12. Proceed the lecture with introducing the structure of Esters, a
carboxylic acid derivative

13. Then, discuss on how to prepare esters by reacting carboxylic acid and
alcohol called the Esterification process
 14. Discuss on the basic nomenclature of esters
(1) IUPAC and common name
15. Also, the uses of esters to the pharmaceutical industry would be
mentioned
(1) Flavor and Fragrances Agents

(2) Medications such as:

Aspirin
16. Highlight on the ester Aspirin and discuss on its importance to
pharmaceutical industry

b. Learning Activity
1. Divide the class into 5 groups. Each group will be assigned to a
compound whether a carboxylic acid or an ester that they have
learned from the discussion.
2. Each group should choose a representative to draw by lots to which
compound they would be assigned to.
3. Once they are already assigned whether to an acid or an ester they
would choose one example of the acid/ ester.
 4. Once they have chosen their compound, the students would provide
the following information:
(1) Name (IUPAC/ Common name) of the chosen carboxylic acid/
ester
(2) Give one or two pharmaceutical use of the chosen carboxylic
acid/ ester or where they can be found in nature (if it is an
ester used for fragrances)
(3) If it is an acid, provide one property of the acid (physical
property); if it is an ester (provide one of its uses either in
flavouring or fragrances or medications)
5. Once they have provided the answers they would have to share their
answers on the class (if time permits, if not they would just pass their
answers.)

c. Generalization/ Summary
1. Provide a quick summary on the discussion about carboxylic acids and
esters nomenclature and their properties.
2. Ask the students for questions and further clarifications.
IV. Assessment
1. On a ¼ sheet of paper, students should give at least 3 examples of carboxylic
acids and 3 examples of ester used for fragrances they have learned from the
lecture.
2. The examples should come with its common name and its pharmaceutical
use.
3. For example:
Carboxylic acid Ester
Oxalic acid – used for Ethyl butanoate – pineapple
bleaches
Citric acid – used to control Pentyl ethanoate – banana
pH, acidulant, and
preservatives
Lactic acid – used in Methyl butanoate - apple
moisturizers, skin-lightening
agents, and preservatives

V. Assignment
Read in advance the next topic about the reactions of carboxylic acids, esters, and
other acid derivatives