An acid with unpleasant smell_________________?
Correct answer: D. butyric acid
- A. formic acid
- B. acetic acid
- C. propionic acid
- D. butyric acid
Explanation
Butyric acid, CH3CH2CH2COOH, has a strong rancid or unpleasant smell and is associated with the odour of rancid butter. Formic acid has a pungent smell, while acetic acid smells like vinegar and propionic acid has a less characteristic rancid odour. Students often choose acetic acid because its smell is noticeable, but vinegar odour is not usually described as the strongly unpleasant rancid smell of butyric acid.
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About Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids show acidic behaviour because their carboxylate ions are resonance-stabilised, and electron-withdrawing groups can change their strength. Reactions include neutralisation, esterification, formation of acid chlorides and amides, reduction, decarboxylation and substitution at the acyl carbon, which differs from the reactions of phenols.
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