Drawing and naming the carboxylic acids
3 marks · NormalExplain how you can identify whether a molecule is a carboxylic acid, using both its structural formula and its name.
Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.
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Must show: Reference to COOH group in structural formula, Reference to '-anoic acid' ending in names
Common mistakes: Referring only to name or only structure
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · Mentions that carboxylic acids contain the COOH functional group in their structural formula
B2 · 1 mark · Mentions that carboxylic acid names end in '-anoic acid'
B3 · 1 mark · Explains both points together or gives an example using both formula and name
Worked solution
Look for the COOH functional group (−COOH) in the molecule's structural formula. This group shows it is a carboxylic acid.
In the name, carboxylic acids always end in '-anoic acid', such as "ethanoic acid" or "propanoic acid".
If both are present (COOH group and the suffix), the compound is a carboxylic acid.