MDCAT Chemistry — Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic Acids is a core Chemistry topic in the PMDC MDCAT syllabus, covering 3 subtopics. Below are the subtopics to revise, how often the topic appears in past papers, and real past-paper MCQs to try.
Subtopics (3)
- Conversion to Derivatives (Acyl Halides, Anhydrides, Esters)
- Nomenclature, Structure, Preparation
- Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids
How Carboxylic Acids is tested
Across the 16 MDCAT past papers on ParhaiKrlo, Carboxylic Acids accounts for 26 questions. It appears in 12 of them, about 2.2 questions a paper. The heaviest was MDCAT 2013, with 4 questions, and the most recent is MDCAT 2025, with 1.
| Paper | Questions |
|---|---|
| MDCAT 2025 | 1 |
| MDCAT 2024 | 2 |
| MDCAT 2022 | 2 |
| MDCAT 2019 | 3 |
| MDCAT 2018 | 1 |
| MDCAT 2015 | 1 |
| MDCAT 2014 | 1 |
| MDCAT 2013 | 4 |
| MDCAT 2012 | 4 |
| MDCAT 2011 | 3 |
| MDCAT 2010 | 3 |
| MDCAT 2008 | 1 |
Carboxylic Acids MCQs from the MDCAT past papers
Try each one before opening the answer. Each comes with a short explanation.
- Q1 · MDCAT 2025 · Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acid reacts with ammonia to form ammonium salts, which on heating produce:
- A.Carbonates
- B.Alkane
- C.Ester
- D.Amide
Show answer
Answer: D. Amide — Ammonium salts of carboxylic acids form amides on heating.
- Q2 · MDCAT 2024 · Carboxylic Acids
Common name of 2-hydroxy propanoic acid is:
- A.Tartaric acid
- B.Lactic acid
- C.Phthalic acid
- D.Formic acid
Show answer
Answer: B. Lactic acid — 2-hydroxypropanoic acid's common name is lactic acid.
- Q3 · MDCAT 2022 · Carboxylic Acids
Which among the following have least pH?
- A.CH3CH2COOH
- B.CH2ClCH2COOH
- C.CH3CHCl2 COOH
- D.CH3CH2CH2COOH
Show answer
Answer: C. CH3CHCl2 COOH — CH3CHCl2COOH has the lowest pH (most acidic) since two electronegative chlorine atoms on the same carbon strongly withdraw electron density, greatly stabilizing the conjugate base.