The organic acid that can be made from ethanol is_________________?
Correct answer: A. Acetic acid
- A. Acetic acid
- B. Formic acid
- C. Butanoic acid
- D. Citric acid
Explanation
Ethanol is oxidized first to ethanal and then to acetic acid: CH3CH2OH + 2[O] → CH3COOH + H2O. The two-carbon chain is retained during oxidation, so the product is acetic acid. Students may choose formic acid because it is also a simple carboxylic acid, but it has only one carbon atom and cannot result from direct oxidation of ethanol without chain cleavage.
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About Nomenclature, Structure and Preparation
Carboxylic acids are prepared by oxidising primary alcohols or aldehydes, hydrolysing nitriles, esters and amides, and carbonating suitable organometallic compounds. Their structures, IUPAC naming, resonance stabilisation and acidic character explain why carboxylic acids differ from alcohols and phenols, despite all containing oxygen and hydrogen.
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