Carboxylic acid have higher boiling points than aldehydes, ketones and even alcohol of comparable molecular mass. It is due to their

Options

A. more extensive association of carboxylic acid via van der Waals' force of attraction
B. formation of carboxylate ion
C. formation of intramolecular H-bonding
D. formation of intermolecular H-bonding

Answer

D

Explanation

Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than aldehyde, ketones and even alcohols of comparable molecular mass because of the extent of intermolecular-hydrogen bonding with water, due to which they exist as associated molecules.

The hydrogen bonds are not completely broken in the vapour state. In fact mostly carboxylic acids exist as dimer in the vapour state or aprotic solvent.