The document summarizes key information about carboxylic acids including their physical properties, methods of preparation, and common reactions. Carboxylic acids have the functional group -COOH and are named with the suffix -oic acid. They are soluble in water and polar solvents but solubility decreases with increasing mass. Carboxylic acids can be prepared through oxidation, hydrolysis, and other reactions. They undergo acid-base reactions with metals, bases, and carbonates to form salts. Esterification involves heating an alcohol and carboxylic acid with an acid catalyst to form an ester and water.