Explain: 1. Why butanoic acid has a higher boiling point than butan1-ol? 2. Why carboxylic acids of short chain length are more soluble in water than those with longer carbon chain length?

1.Butanoic acid has stronger intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonding) because it has two highly electronegative oxygen atoms in its structure, whereas butan-1-ol has only one. Therefore the acid molecules can form stronger bonds between neighbouring molecules. 2.Whilst carboxylic acids can form hydrogen bonds with neighbouring water molecules, owing to the presence of the two oxygen atoms present on the carboxyl group, as the chain length increases the hydrophobic nature of the molecule becomes more defined- it is more difficult for water molecules to surround and dissolve these larger molecules, as the non functional carbon chain has no oxygen atoms to which it can from hydrogen bonds with water.

SL
Answered by Samuel L. Chemistry tutor

24050 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the trend in the boiling temperatures of the elements on descending group 7, from fluorine to iodine.


Describe a test that could be used to distinguish between potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and potassium nitrate (KNO3)


(i) What property does Magnesium Oxide have that makes it useful to create heat-resistant bricks to line furnaces? (ii) Explain why H2S exists as a gas and H2O exists as a liquid (at r.t.p).


Explain the difference between homolytic fission and heterolytic fission.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning