How many acids and esters are possible for the compound with molecular formula, `C_(4)H_(8)O_(2)` ?

Options

A. 2, 2
B. 3, 2
C. 2, 4
D. 4, 2

Answer

To determine how many acids and esters are possible for the compound with the molecular formula \( C_4H_8O_2 \), we will analyze the structure and functional groups that can be formed from this molecular formula.

### Step 1: Identify the functional groups
The molecular formula \( C_4H_8O_2 \) suggests the presence of carboxylic acids (which have the functional group -COOH) and esters (which have the functional group -COOR, where R is an alkyl group).

### Step 2: Determine possible carboxylic acids
1. **Carboxylic Acid Structure**: The simplest carboxylic acid can be represented as \( R-COOH \).
2. **Possible Structures**:
- **Butanoic Acid**: \( CH_3(CH_2)_2COOH \)
- **Propanoic Acid with a Methyl Branch**: \( CH_3COOH \) with a methyl group on the second carbon, which gives us 2-methylpropanoic acid (isobutyric acid).

Thus, the possible carboxylic acids are:
- Butanoic acid
- 2-Methylpropanoic acid

**Total acids = 2**

### Step 3: Determine possible esters
1. **Ester Structure**: The general structure of an ester can be represented as \( RCOOR' \).
2. **Possible Structures**:
- **Butyl Acetate**: \( CH_3COO(CH_2)_3CH_3 \)
- **Ethyl Propanoate**: \( CH_3(CH_2)COOCH_2CH_3 \)
- **Methyl Butanoate**: \( CH_3(CH_2)_2COOCH_3 \)
- **Isobutyl Acetate**: \( CH_3COO(CH(CH_3)_2) \)

Thus, the possible esters are:
- Butyl acetate
- Ethyl propanoate
- Methyl butanoate
- Isobutyl acetate

**Total esters = 4**

### Final Answer:
- Total number of acids = 2
- Total number of esters = 4

Thus, the answer is:
**2 acids and 4 esters are possible for the compound with molecular formula \( C_4H_8O_2 \)**.

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