When a pure carboxylic acid compound vaporizes and enters the vapour phase, it largely retains an associated structure. How many discrete intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between exactly two i

Question

When a pure carboxylic acid compound vaporizes and enters the vapour phase, it largely retains an associated structure. How many discrete intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between exactly two interacting molecules of the carboxylic acid to generate this stable dimer?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 2. The highly stable dimer structure of carboxylic acids in the vapour phase and in aprotic solvents is specifically held together by exactly two strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds, formed between the carbonyl oxygen of one molecule and the hydroxyl hydrogen of the other, and vice versa.

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