Chemistry · Classification of organic compounds based on functional groups and those containing halogens, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, homologous series
represents:
\( C_{4} H_{8} O_{2} \) represents:
- A. an acid only
- B. an ester only
- C. an ketone only
- D. an acid and an ester also
Step-by-step solution
The molecular formula C4H8O2 matches the general formula for saturated carboxylic acids (CnH2nO2) and saturated esters (also CnH2nO2). Examples include butanoic acid and ethyl acetate. Ketones have formula CnH2nO, requiring one fewer oxygen, so C4H8O2 cannot be a ketone. Therefore, it can represent both an acid and an ester.