Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid, with the formula . If exactly 1 mole of pure oxalic a — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid, with the formula $HOOC-COOH$. If exactly 1 mole of pure oxalic acid is reacted completely with an excess of aqueous Sodium Bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$), how many moles of Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) gas will be evolved?
Answer: 2
💡 Solution & Explanation
The bicarbonate test relies on the presence of highly acidic $-COOH$ protons. Oxalic acid possesses exactly two such carboxylic acid groups per molecule. Each $-COOH$ group reacts with one $HCO_3^-$ ion to liberate one molecule of $CO_2$. Therefore, 1 mole of oxalic acid will liberate exactly 2 moles of $CO_2$ gas.
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