Moderate

The complete reduction carboxylic acid results in the formation of________________?

Correct answer: C. Alkane

  • A. Alkyne
  • B. Alkene
  • C. Alkane
  • D. Alcohol

Explanation

Complete reduction of a carboxylic acid removes the oxygen functionality and gives the corresponding alkane, for example RCOOH -> RCH3 under vigorous reduction. Partial reduction can instead give a primary alcohol, but that is not complete reduction. The common mistake is choosing alcohol because carboxylic acids are readily reduced to alcohols under ordinary reducing conditions.

Last updated

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.

Practise Carboxylic Acids

550 free Carboxylic Acids MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this

Chemistry is on 12 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions