ABSTRACT

Physical properties of acids The simplest carboxylic acids are generally liquids at room temperature with characteristic, and generally unpleasant, odors (Table 1). However, they are high boiling point liquids. As with alcohols (Sections I1 and J1) carboxylic acids are able to intermolecularly

hydrogen bond. Carboxylic acids generally have higher boiling points than alcohols of the same molecular weight, as hydrogen bonded acids are held together by two bonds;

R C O

O RC

O

OH

H

This ability to hydrogen bond makes the smaller carboxylic acids water soluble.