Question

The general formula of carboxylic acids is:

• A. ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$
• B. ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$
• C. ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{n}}\mathrm{COOH}$
• D. ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}-1}\mathrm{COOH}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$

The explanation for the correct option

(A)${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$

The general formula for carboxylic acid

• The general formula for carboxylic acid is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$.
• Here, n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule minus 1.

Example

• In ethanoic acid, the number of carbon atoms is two. So, the value of n is one.
• So, the general formula for ethanoic acid is ${\text{C}}_1{\text{H}}_{\text{1×2+1}}\text{COOH}$ that is ${\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}$.

The explanation for the incorrect options

The general formula of carboxylic acids is${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$. Hence, options (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect.

Hence, option (A) is correct.