MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than alkanes, ethers, alcohols, and aldehydes of comparable molecular mass. This is due to the presence of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in carboxylic acids. The highly polarized O-H bond, enhanced by the electron-withdrawing carbonyl group, allows carboxylic acid molecules to form strong hydrogen bonds with each other. Because of this extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding, they often exist as dimers even in the vapor phase or in non-polar solvents, requiring more energy to separate the molecules during boiling. Answer: Formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding