In the vapour phase, two molecules of Acetic acid () associate to form a highly stable, cyclic hydro — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
In the vapour phase, two molecules of Acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$) associate to form a highly stable, cyclic hydrogen-bonded dimer. What is the exact total number of atoms (Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen combined) that constitute the primary ring structure of this specific cyclic dimer?
Answer: 8
💡 Solution & Explanation
The dimer is formed by two hydrogen bonds linking two acetic acid molecules: $R-C(=O)\cdot\cdot\cdot H-O-C(R)-O-H \cdot\cdot\cdot O=C-R$. Tracing the contiguous loop formed by these interactions yields: C, O, H, O, C, O, H, O. Counting these strictly gives an 8-membered cyclic ring.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes