What is the general formula of a carboxylic acid?

1 Answer
Callum S.
Nov 15, 2014

A carboxylic acid has the formula #CH_3COOH#, that is a central carbon atom, with an oxygen atom double bonded to it at the top, an #OH# group bonded to it at a 135 degree angle, and an R group, which in this case is a methyl group with the formula #CH_3#, bonded to the central carbon atom at a 225 degree angle.

There are five different compounds with this general formula, where the only change is what is bonded to the carbon at the 135 degree angle, and which R group is bonded at the 225 degree angle. These compounds are: aldehyde, carboxylic acid, ketone, ester and amide.

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