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JAMB Chemistry 1990 Question 47

Question 47

Alkanoic Acids and Esters

Alkanoic acids have low volatility compared with alkanols because they

  1. A.are more polar than alkanols
  2. B.have two oxygen atoms while alkanols have one
  3. C.form hydrogen bonds while alkanols do not
  4. D.form two hydrogen bonds while alkanols form one.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (form two hydrogen bonds while alkanols form one.)

Explanation

Two acid molecules join by two hydrogen bonds to form a dimer, while alkanol molecules link by single hydrogen bonds. The stronger attraction makes acids less volatile.