How many carboxylic acids have the formula C4H8O2?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Oct 23, 2015

Two carboxylic acids have the formula "C"_4"H"_8"O"_2.

Explanation:

We can rewrite the formula as "C"_3"H"_7"COOH".

"C"_3"H"_7 is a propyl group.

We can put the "COOH" group on the end of the propyl chain to get "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"COOH", butanoic acid.

Or we can put the "COOH" group in the middle of the propyl chain to get ("CH"_3)_2"CHCOOH", 2-methylpropanoic acid.

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