Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes of similar molar mass?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids form dimers through two hydrogen bonds between their carboxyl groups, effectively doubling the mass and increasing the boiling point.

Question 2

What is the IUPAC name for the following compound: $$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2COOH}$$?

Accepted Answer

Propanoic acid

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the solubility of carboxylic acids in water?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids with one to five carbon atoms are very soluble in water due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds.

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for the neutralization of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CH_3COOH + NaOH \rightarrow CH_3COONa + H_2O}$$

Question 5

A patient is prescribed a skin treatment containing glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid. Which structural feature is characteristic of all alpha hydroxy acids?

Accepted Answer

A hydroxyl group on the carbon adjacent to the carboxyl group

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the compound with the structure $$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2COOCH_3}$$?

Accepted Answer

Methyl propanoate

Question 7

During strenuous exercise, pyruvate is reduced to which compound under anaerobic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acid

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the products of the acid hydrolysis of ethyl acetate ($$\mathrm{CH_3COOCH_2CH_3}) in $$the presence of water and an acid catalyst?

Accepted Answer

Acetic acid and ethanol

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the boiling points of esters is correct?

Accepted Answer

Esters have boiling points higher than alkanes but lower than alcohols and carboxylic acids of similar molar mass.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct description of saponification?

Accepted Answer

The base hydrolysis of an ester to produce a carboxylate salt and an alcohol

Question 11

A preservative commonly added to bread to inhibit spoilage by microorganisms is:

Accepted Answer

Sodium propionate

Question 12

Which of the following reactions represents the preparation of a carboxylic acid from a primary alcohol?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{RCH_2OH \xrightarrow{[O]} RCHO \xrightarrow{[O]} RCOOH}$$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why carboxylic acids are weak acids?

Accepted Answer

The negative charge on the carboxylate ion is stabilized by resonance between the two oxygen atoms.

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the compound with the structure $$\mathrm{C_6H_5COOH}$$?

Accepted Answer

Benzoic acid

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct product of the base hydrolysis (saponification) of methyl acetate ($$\mathrm{CH_3COOCH_3}) $$with sodium hydroxide?

Accepted Answer

Sodium acetate and methanol

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of carboxylate ions in metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylate ions are the actual species that participate in metabolic reactions such as the citric acid cycle.

Question 17

Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the ester responsible for the flavor and odor of pears, with the structure $$\mathrm{CH_3COOCH_2CH_3}$$?

Accepted Answer

Ethyl acetate

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the effect of increasing the carbon chain length on the solubility of carboxylic acids and esters in water?

Accepted Answer

Solubility decreases as the carbon chain length increases.

Question 19

Aspirin is an ester formed from which two reactants?

Accepted Answer

Salicylic acid and acetic acid

Carboxylic Acids and Esters: Structure, Properties, and Nomenclature

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