The number of structural isomers that are carboxylic acids with the formula C₄H₆O₂ is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 9
The number of structural isomers that are carboxylic acids with the formula C₄H₆O₂ is
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The number of structural isomers that are carboxylic acids with the formula C₄H₆O₂ is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the carboxylic acid isomers
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Answer
To determine the number of structural isomers for carboxylic acids with the molecular formula C₄H₆O₂, we need to identify those isomers that incorporate the carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH).
The main carboxylic acids with the formula C₄H₆O₂ include:
Butanoic acid (a straight-chain isomer)
2-Methylpropanoic acid (a branched isomer)
3-Methylpropanoic acid (another branched isomer)
Thus, there are a total of 2 distinct structural isomers since the isomer could also include the arrangement of additional carbon chains which amounts to different conformations.
Step 2
Count the isomers
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Answer
From the analysis, we can conclude that the total number of structural isomers that are carboxylic acids for the formula C₄H₆O₂ is 2.
Step 3
Select the correct option
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Answer
Since we found that the number of structural isomers is 2, the correct answer is B.