Asked in NUMS 2022 2022Moderate

Carboxylic acids are water soluble because they:

Correct answer: B. Have hydrogen bonding

  • A. Are more reactive
  • B. Have hydrogen bonding
  • C. Have low melting point
  • D. Have high density

Explanation

When added to water the carboxylic acids do not form dimers. Rather, hydrogen bonds are formed between the individual molecules of the acid and water molecules. It is because of these interactions that carboxylic acids can dissolve in water to form acidic solutions.

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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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