In a single molecule of the lowest molecular weight unbranched aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (Oxalic a — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
In a single molecule of the lowest molecular weight unbranched aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (Oxalic acid, $HOOC-COOH$), what is the total number of unshared pairs of electrons (lone pairs) present on all oxygen atoms combined?
Answer: 8
💡 Solution & Explanation
Oxalic acid has the formula $HOOC-COOH$. It contains exactly 4 oxygen atoms. Each carbonyl oxygen ($=O$) has 2 lone pairs. Each hydroxyl oxygen ($-OH$) also has 2 lone pairs. Total lone pairs = $4 \times 2 = 8$.
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