The general formula for saturated monocarboxylic acids, where \( R \) is an alkyl group, is given by:
\[ C_nH_{2n+1}COOH \]
Here, \( n \) represents the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain \( R \). In this formula:
- The \( C_nH_{2n+1} \) part represents the saturated alkyl group (which contains \( n \) carbon atoms and \( 2n + 1 \) hydrogen atoms).
- The \( COOH \) is the carboxylic acid functional group.
For example:
- If \( n = 1 \) (for formic acid), the formula is \( C_1H_3COOH \) which simplifies to \( CH_3COOH \).
- If \( n = 2 \) (for acetic acid), the formula is \( C_2H_5COOH \) which simplifies to \( C_2H_4O_2 \) or \( CH_3CH_2COOH \).