Which of the following organic functional groups reacts with sodium bicarbonate () solution with effervescence due to carbon dioxide evolution?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Carboxylic acids
- Step 1: Analyze acid strength: is a weak base that reacts only with acids stronger than carbonic acid (, ).
- Step 2: Compare acidities: Carboxylic acids () protonate bicarbonate to form unstable carbonic acid, which decomposes to effervescence and .
- Step 3: Alcohols () are far too weakly acidic to react with bicarbonate.
Answer
Carboxylic acids.
Why not the others: 'Alcohols', 'Ethers', and 'Esters' do not liberate carbon dioxide gas from bicarbonate solutions because they lack sufficient acidity.
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