MHT CET Medical202622 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryCarboxylic Acid DerivativesActual
Identify the trend of solubility of carboxylic acid in water.
Options
- AIncreases with increase in molecular mass.
- BDecreases with increase in molecular mass
- CDecreases with decreasing hydrophobic action
- DIncreases with increase in number of carbon atom
Correct answer
B. Decreases with increase in molecular mass
Step-by-step solution
Carboxylic acids are soluble in water due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds with water molecules. As the molecular mass increases, the size of the alkyl group increases. The alkyl group is hydrophobic (water-repelling) in nature. The larger the hydrophobic alkyl chain, the lesser the solubility of the carboxylic acid in water. Therefore, the solubility of carboxylic acids in water decreases with an increase in molecular mass. Answer: Decreases with increase in molecular mass