Carboxylic acids have a carboxyl group that includes both a carbonyl and hydroxyl group from "summary" of Organic Chemistry by John E. McMurry
Carboxylic acids are a type of organic compound that contain a specific functional group known as a carboxyl group. This group consists of both a carbonyl group (a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom) and a hydroxyl group (an oxygen atom single-bonded to a hydrogen atom). The presence of these two groups in close proximity gives carboxylic acids their unique properties and reactivity. The carbonyl group within the carboxyl group is found at the end of the carbon chain, with the carbon atom double-bonded to one oxygen atom and single-bonded to another carbon atom. This arrangement creates a polar bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms, resulting in a partially positive charge on the carbon atom and a partially negative charge on the oxygen atom. This polarity influences the reactivity of carboxylic acids in various chemical reactions. In addition to the carbonyl group, the carboxyl group also contains a hydroxyl group, which consists of an oxygen atom single-bonded to a hydrogen atom. This hydroxyl group is attached to the same carbon atom as the carbonyl group, forming a functional group that is highly acidic in nature. The presence of the hydroxyl group allows carboxylic acids to donate a proton (H+) in aqueous solution, making them weak acids. The combination of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the carboxyl group gives carboxylic acids their characteristic acidity, reactivity, and solubility properties. The polarity of the carbonyl group contributes to the overall polarity of the molecule, affecting its interactions with other molecules in chemical reactions. The acidity of carboxylic acids is a result of the proton-donating ability of the hydroxyl group, which can release a hydrogen ion in solution.- The presence of both a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group in the carboxyl group of carboxylic acids is essential for understanding their structure, properties, and reactivity in organic chemistry. These functional groups play a significant role in determining the behavior of carboxylic acids in various chemical reactions and biological processes.
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