Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why carboxylic acids have significantly higher boiling points than alcohols and aldehydes of similar molecular weight?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids form hydrogen-bonded dimers, effectively doubling their molecular weight in the liquid phase.

Question 2

What is the product of the reduction of acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$) with lithium aluminum hydride ($LiAlH_4$)?

Accepted Answer

$CH_3CH_2OH$

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the role of concentrated sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) in Fischer esterification?

Accepted Answer

It acts as an acid catalyst, protonating the carbonyl oxygen to increase electrophilicity.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the acidity of carboxylic acids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The presence of electron-withdrawing groups near the carboxyl group increases acidity.

Question 5

A student mixes benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide in water. Which of the following best describes the reaction and its product?

Accepted Answer

Benzoic acid reacts to form sodium benzoate, a water-soluble salt.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why decarboxylation of $\beta$-ketoacids occurs under much milder conditions than other carboxylic acids?

Accepted Answer

The $\beta$-keto group stabilizes the transition state via enol tautomerization.

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for the reaction of acetic acid with ammonia in water?

Accepted Answer

$CH_3COOH + NH_3 \rightarrow CH_3COO^- + NH_4^+$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the physical properties of carboxylic acids is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids are generally less polar than aldehydes.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the process of Fischer esterification?

Accepted Answer

A carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an ester and water.

Question 10

Which of the following would increase the yield of ester in a Fischer esterification reaction?

Accepted Answer

Removing water as it forms during the reaction.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about the decarboxylation of carboxylic acids?

Accepted Answer

Thermal decarboxylation of most carboxylic acids requires very high temperatures.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a carboxylic acid derivative?

Accepted Answer

Aldehyde

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why fatty acids are typically found with an even number of carbon atoms?

Accepted Answer

Fatty acids are synthesized by the sequential addition of two-carbon units.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the hydrolysis of esters is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Ester hydrolysis can be catalyzed by either acid or base.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the structure of a carboxyl group?

Accepted Answer

A carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group.

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct $pK_a$ range for most unsubstituted carboxylic acids?

Accepted Answer

$4.0 - 5.0$

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the formation of anhydrides from carboxylic acids?

Accepted Answer

Anhydrides are formed by the dehydration (loss of water) of two carboxylic acids.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

They only partially ionize in water, with equilibrium favoring the non-ionized form.

Ch. 16: Carboxylic Acids and Esters: Structure, Properties, and Reactions

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