Question

Write the formulae and name of the first two carboxylic acids.

Answer 1

A carboxyl functional group contains Carbon $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ atom bonded to hydroxyl group $(-\mathrm{OH})$ bonded by a single bond and Oxygen $\left(\mathrm{O}\right)$ by a double bond.

The carboxylic acids have the general formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+1}\mathrm{COOH}$.

First two carboxylic acids

When the value of $\mathrm{n}=0$, then the molecular formula is $\mathrm{HCOOH}$ and the name is Methanoic acid.

When the value of $\mathrm{n}=1$, then the molecular formula is ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$ and the name is Ethanoic acid.