0.5mols of a mono alkanoicacid weighs 44 grams, determine the molecular formula and name the acid. (show the workings)

Answer 1

mols = grams/molar mass. You have mols and grams, solve for molar mass. I get 88. The COOH group of an alkanoic acid weighs has a molar mass of 45 which leaves88-45 = 43. A methyl group (CH3) is 15 while the methylene group (CH2) is 14 so I would make an educated guess that the compound is CH3CH2CH2COOH to make 88 for the molar mass. Technically, this is a poor question because not all of it can be answered unequivocally. I would name it butanoic acid BUT it could have isomers and that wouldn't bee the correct name.