Question 1

What is the IUPAC name for the carboxylic acid shown in the structural formula below?

CH3–CH(CH3)–CH2–COOH

Accepted Answer

2-methylpentanoic acid

Question 2

Which carboxylic acid is responsible for the sour taste of vinegar, as shown in the image of a beaker with vinegar and baking soda?

Accepted Answer

Acetic acid

Question 3

Which of the following statements best explains why carboxylic acids with 1-5 carbon atoms are very soluble in water?

Accepted Answer

They form hydrogen bonds with water molecules due to their polar hydroxyl and carbonyl groups.

Question 4

What is the balanced chemical equation for the dissociation of butanoic acid in water?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH_2COOH + H_2O \rightleftharpoons CH_3CH_2CH_2COO^- + H_3O^+}$$

Question 5

During the neutralization of propanoic acid with sodium hydroxide, what are the products?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2COOH + NaOH \rightarrow CH_3CH_2COONa + H_2O}$$

Question 6

Which carboxylic acid is found in red ant stings, as shown in the image of an ant?

Accepted Answer

Formic acid

Question 7

What is the name of the carboxylate ion formed when benzoic acid is neutralized with potassium hydroxide?

Accepted Answer

Potassium benzoate

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the role of carboxylic acids in metabolism?

Accepted Answer

They participate in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, where they are oxidized and decarboxylated to produce energy.

Question 9

What is the correct IUPAC name for a carboxylic acid with a six-carbon chain and a chlorine substituent on carbon 4?

Accepted Answer

4-chlorohexanoic acid

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids are weak acids because the negative charge on the carboxylate ion is stabilized by two oxygen atoms.

Question 11

Which of the following equations represents the reduction of pyruvic acid to lactic acid during anaerobic metabolism?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CH_3COCOOH + 2H \rightarrow CH_3CH(OH)COOH}$$

Question 12

Which property of carboxylic acids makes them useful as preservatives and flavor enhancers?

Accepted Answer

Their salts are ionic compounds with strong attractive forces, high melting points, and are usually soluble in water.

Question 13

What is the correct IUPAC name for the compound with the following condensed formula: CH3CH2CH2COOH?

Accepted Answer

Butanoic acid

Question 14

In the citric acid cycle, which carboxylic acid is oxidized to a 5-carbon α-ketoglutaric acid?

Accepted Answer

Citric acid

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct name for the carboxylate ion formed from acetic acid?

Accepted Answer

Acetate ion

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the trend in solubility of carboxylic acids as the number of carbon atoms increases?

Accepted Answer

Solubility decreases as the number of carbon atoms increases.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the naming of carboxylic acids in the IUPAC system?

Accepted Answer

The 'e' in the alkane name is replaced with 'oic acid'.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the process of decarboxylation in the citric acid cycle?

Accepted Answer

Loss of a CO2 molecule from a carboxylic acid.

Carboxylic Acids

Study Guide - Practice Questions