4.8 Carboxylic acids

Section A

Section B

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

1. Some organic acids with more than four carbon atoms have strong unpleasant smells. In 1991, it was discovered that the chemical responsible for offensive body odour was 3-methylhex-2-enoic acid (MHA) with formula:

CH₃CH₂CH₂C=CHCOOH

CH₃

(a) Explain whether it is possible to have cis and trans isomers of MHA.

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