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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for a carboxylic acid with a straight chain of carbon atoms and a carboxyl group at one end?
A
Ethanoic acid
B
Propanoic acid
C
Pentanoic acid
D
Butanoic acid
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the number of carbon atoms in the main chain of the carboxylic acid. Here, the chain has 4 carbon atoms.
Recall the IUPAC naming convention for carboxylic acids: the suffix '-oic acid' is added to the name of the corresponding alkane with the same number of carbons.
Match the number of carbons to the alkane name: 1 carbon is methane, 2 is ethane, 3 is propane, 4 is butane, and 5 is pentane.
Attach the suffix '-oic acid' to the alkane name corresponding to 4 carbons, which is 'butane', resulting in 'butanoic acid'.
Confirm that the carboxyl group (-COOH) is at the end of the chain, which is always carbon 1 in naming, so no additional locants are needed.