Explain, why monocarboxylic acids have higher boiling points as compare to the alcohols of comparable molecular mass ?

Explanation

We know that, carboxylic acids and alcohols both have intermolecular hydrogen bonding in their molecules. But O-H bond in carboxylic acids is more polarised than in alcohols due to the presence of > C = O gorup. Hence, the magnitude of hydrogen bonding in acids is more than that in alcohols, . i.e., hydrogen bonds are stronger in acids. Also, acids exist as dimers. It increases degree of hydrogen bonding and hence higher will be the boiling point of acids.

Aliphatic carboxylic acids having carbon atoms upto four are soluble in water. But solubility of acids decreases with increase of carbon atoms. This is due to increased hydrophobic interactions of hydrocarbons.