15-2 Structure and Properties of Carboxylic Acids Carboxyl carbon is sp2-hybridized a Carboxylic acids are strongly associated because of hydrogen bonding Hydrogen bonding significantly increases boiling point Most carboxylic acids exist as cyclic dimers O…H-O H3C-C C- CH3 Acetic acid dimer ▪ Carboxyl carbon is sp2 -hybridized ▪ Carboxylic acids are strongly associated because of hydrogen bonding ▪ Hydrogen bonding significantly increases boiling point ▪ Most carboxylic acids exist as cyclic dimers 15-2 Structure and Properties of Carboxylic Acids