Unit 13: Carboxylic Acids

1. Carboxylic acids are characterized by which functional group?

a) –OH
b) –COOH
c) –CHO
d) –COOR
Answer: b) –COOH

2. Which of the following is the simplest carboxylic acid?

a) Ethanoic acid
b) Methanoic acid
c) Propanoic acid
d) Butanoic acid
Answer: b) Methanoic acid

3. What is the IUPAC name for acetic acid?

a) Ethanoic acid
b) Propanoic acid
c) Methanoic acid
d) Butanoic acid
Answer: a) Ethanoic acid

4. Carboxylic acids typically have higher boiling points than alcohols due to:

a) Van der Waals forces
b) Dipole-dipole interactions
c) Hydrogen bonding
d) Covalent bonding
Answer: c) Hydrogen bonding

5. Which of the following reactions is used to prepare carboxylic acids from primary alcohols?

a) Reduction
b) Dehydration
c) Oxidation
d) Hydrolysis
Answer: c) Oxidation

6. Which reagent is commonly used for the oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids?

a) KMnO4
b) NaBH4
c) LiAlH4
d) H2/Pt
Answer: a) KMnO4

7. What is the product of the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol?

a) Ester
b) Amide
c) Ether
d) Aldehyde
Answer: a) Ester

8. Which of the following carboxylic acids is commonly found in vinegar?

a) Formic acid
b) Acetic acid
c) Propionic acid
d) Butyric acid
Answer: b) Acetic acid

9. The decarboxylation of a carboxylic acid results in the formation of:

a) An aldehyde
b) A ketone
c) A hydrocarbon
d) An alcohol
Answer: c) A hydrocarbon

10. The reaction of a carboxylic acid with ammonia produces:

a) An ester
b) An amide
c) An anhydride
d) A salt
Answer: b) An amide