Chapter 11: Problem 34

\(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) is the given IUPAC name of ethanoic acid.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The molecular formula of ethanoic acid is \(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{4}\mathrm{O}_{2}\). The structural formula is: ``` H H O | | || H-C-C=O | | H O-H ```

Step by step solution

Determine the chemical formula

For ethanoic acid, the IUPAC name \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) tells us the molecular composition: - 2 carbon atoms - 4 hydrogen atoms - 2 oxygen atoms So the molecular formula for ethanoic acid is \(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{4}\mathrm{O}_{2}\).

Understand the functional group

Ethanoic acid is a carboxylic acid, which means it has a -COOH group attached to the carbon chain. The -COOH group is composed of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (O-H).

Draw the structural formula

To draw the structural formula, start with the two-carbon chain and add the functional group: 1. Draw a straight chain of two carbon (C) atoms. 2. Since ethanoic acid has a carboxylic acid functional group, attach the -COOH group to the end carbon atom of the chain. 3. The remaining carbon atom needs to have a total of four bonds. It already has one bond to the other carbon atom and the carbonyl group, so we need to add three hydrogen (H) atoms to satisfy its valency. The structural formula for ethanoic acid is: ``` H H O | | || H-C-C=O | | H O-H ``` In summary, ethanoic acid has a molecular formula of \(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{4}\mathrm{O}_{2}\) and the structural formula shown above.

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\(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) is the given IUPAC name of ethanoic acid.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Determine the chemical formula

Understand the functional group

Draw the structural formula

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