Chemistry Carboxylic Acids NUMS 2022
PMDC Verified Question 50 of 94
Carboxylic acids are water soluble because they:
A
Are more reactive
B
Have low melting point
C
Have hydrogen bonding
D
Have high density
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option C: Have hydrogen bonding
Concept:

Solubility of organic compounds in water heavily depends on their ability to interact with water molecules via strong intermolecular forces, specifically hydrogen bonds.

Solution:

  • Carboxylic acids contain a highly polar carboxyl group (\( -\text{COOH} \)).


  • The carbonyl oxygen (\( \text{C=O} \)) acts as a hydrogen bond acceptor, while the hydroxyl group (\( -\text{OH} \)) acts as a strong hydrogen bond donor.


  • This allows them to form extensive hydrogen bonding networks with water molecules, making lower-chain carboxylic acids highly soluble.


Why other options are incorrect:

Reactivity, melting point, and density do not fundamentally explain the thermodynamic favorability of dissolving in a highly polar solvent like water.

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