Which functional group is present in benzoic acid?

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Multiple Choice

Which functional group is present in benzoic acid?

Benzoic acid contains a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to the benzene ring. This carboxyl group is the defining feature of carboxylic acids and consists of a carbonyl (C=O) bonded to a hydroxyl (–OH) on the same carbon. That combination gives the acidic properties characteristic of carboxyl groups. The other options describe groups that aren’t present as the defining functional group in benzoic acid: a hydroxyl group alone would be an alcohol or phenol, an ether would be an R–O–R linkage, and an amino group would be –NH2.

Benzoic acid contains a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to the benzene ring. This carboxyl group is the defining feature of carboxylic acids and consists of a carbonyl (C=O) bonded to a hydroxyl (–OH) on the same carbon. That combination gives the acidic properties characteristic of carboxyl groups. The other options describe groups that aren’t present as the defining functional group in benzoic acid: a hydroxyl group alone would be an alcohol or phenol, an ether would be an R–O–R linkage, and an amino group would be –NH2.

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