Chapter 16, Problem 16.39EP

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Physical state at room temperature for unbranched saturated monocarboxylic acid that contains four carbon atoms has to be indicated.

Concept Introduction:

Physical property of carboxylic acid is decided by the carbon chain and the functional group.  Carboxylic acids are highly polar, as the carboxyl group is more polar.  Due to this polar nature, the melting and boiling point are very high.  Monocarboxylic acids that are unsubstituted which contains up to nine carbon atoms are present in liquid state.  They have very sharp odor.  Monocarboxylic acids that have more than ten carbon atoms in an unbranched fashion are waxy solids.  They do not have any odor because of low volatility.  Similar to this, dicarboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids do not have any odor and they are solids.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Physical state at room temperature for unbranched saturated dicarboxylic acid that contains four carbon atoms has to be indicated.

Concept Introduction:

Physical property of carboxylic acid is decided by the carbon chain and the functional group.  Carboxylic acids are highly polar, as the carboxyl group is more polar.  Due to this polar nature, the melting and boiling point are very high.  Monocarboxylic acids that are unsubstituted which contains up to nine carbon atoms are present in liquid state.  They have very sharp odor.  Monocarboxylic acids that have more than ten carbon atoms in an unbranched fashion are waxy solids.  They do not have any odor because of low volatility.  Similar to this, dicarboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids do not have any odor and they are solids.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Physical state at room temperature for unbranched saturated monocarboxylic acid that contains five carbon atoms has to be indicated.

Concept Introduction:

Physical property of carboxylic acid is decided by the carbon chain and the functional group.  Carboxylic acids are highly polar, as the carboxyl group is more polar.  Due to this polar nature, the melting and boiling point are very high.  Monocarboxylic acids that are unsubstituted which contains up to nine carbon atoms are present in liquid state.  They have very sharp odor.  Monocarboxylic acids that have more than ten carbon atoms in an unbranched fashion are waxy solids.  They do not have any odor because of low volatility.  Similar to this, dicarboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids do not have any odor and they are solids.

(d)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Physical state at room temperature for unbranched saturated dicarboxylic acid that contains six carbon atoms has to be indicated.

Concept Introduction:

Physical property of carboxylic acid is decided by the carbon chain and the functional group.  Carboxylic acids are highly polar, as the carboxyl group is more polar.  Due to this polar nature, the melting and boiling point are very high.  Monocarboxylic acids that are unsubstituted which contains up to nine carbon atoms are present in liquid state.  They have very sharp odor.  Monocarboxylic acids that have more than ten carbon atoms in an unbranched fashion are waxy solids.  They do not have any odor because of low volatility.  Similar to this, dicarboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids do not have any odor and they are solids.