A carboxylic acid is a molecule containing the carboxyl functional group, $-COOH$.

Carboxylic acids can react with bases:

$$ [metal \space oxide] \space + \space [carboxylic \space acid] \space \rarr \space [salt] \space + \space [water] $$

$$ [metal \space hydroxide] \space + \space [carboxylic \space acid] \space \rarr \space [salt] \space + \space [water] $$

$$ [metal \space carbonate] \space + \space [carboxylic \space acid] \space \rarr \space [salt] \space + \space [water] \space + \space [CO_2] $$

The name of the salt produced depends on the acid and base used.

e.g. ethanoic acid will form metal ethanoate salts.