What is the IUPAC name of oxalic acid?

This question was previously asked in
RPF SI (2018) Official Paper (Held On: 19 Dec, 2018 Shift 1)
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  1. Butanoic acid
  2. Methanoic acid
  3. hexanedioic acid
  4. Ethanedioic acid

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Ethanedioic acid
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The correct answer is 4) Ethanedioic acid

Key Points

  • Oxalic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the IUPAC name Ethanedioic acid.
  • It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid, with the formula C2H2O4.
  • Oxalic acid is found in many plants, such as spinach, and is used in various industrial applications including cleaning and bleaching.
  • It is a strong acid and can act as a chelating agent, binding to metals such as calcium and iron.

Additional Information

  • The IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) naming system provides a standardized way to name chemical compounds.
  • In IUPAC nomenclature, the suffix "-dioic acid" is used for dicarboxylic acids, indicating the presence of two carboxyl groups.
  • Oxalic acid can be synthesized through the oxidation of carbohydrates or by the action of nitric acid on sugar.
  • It is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, as a mordant in dyeing processes, and as a precipitating agent in rare earth metal processing.
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