Topic: Carboxylic acids: acidic strength· Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen

Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than aldehydes, ketones and even alcohols of comparable molecular mass. It is due to their

1. formation of intramolecular H-bonding

2. more extensive association of carboxylic acid via van der Waals force of attraction

3. formation of carboxylate ion

4. formation of intermolecular H-bonding

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Answer: 4. formation of intermolecular H-bonding

Carboxylic acids form strong intermolecular hydrogen-bonded dimers, so more energy is needed to separate molecules.

Both the O-H (donor) and C=O (acceptor) take part, giving a cyclic dimer. Aldehydes and ketones have no O-H and so no H-bonding among themselves, and alcohols form weaker, less extensive H-bonding. Intramolecular H-bonding would not raise the boiling point.

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Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than aldehydes, ketones and even alcohols of comparable molecular mass. It is due to their

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