Photo AI
Cuts and wounds are often stitched using a biodegradable polymer with the formula O || CH3 -CH2-C-O-CH- C-O- || O It is made from a condensation polymerisation reaction between lactic acid (HOCH(CH3)COOH) and glycolic acid - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 10 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 10
Cuts and wounds are often stitched using a biodegradable polymer with the formula O || CH3 -CH2-C-O-CH- C-O- || O It is made from a condensation po... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Cuts and wounds are often stitched using a biodegradable polymer with the formula O || CH3 -CH2-C-O-CH- C-O- || O It is made from a condensation polymerisation reaction between lactic acid (HOCH(CH3)COOH) and glycolic acid - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 10 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
The formula of glycolic acid is
Answer
To determine the correct formula for glycolic acid, we should recall its structure. Glycolic acid is a simple alpha-hydroxy acid, characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) adjacent to a carboxylic acid group (-COOH).
Evaluating the choices:
- A. HOCH2COOH: This represents glycolic acid where the hydroxyl group is attached to the carbon next to the carboxylic acid. This is indeed the correct formula.
- B. HOCH2CH2OH: This is actually ethylene glycol, not glycolic acid.
- C. HOOCCCH2COOH: This structure suggests a longer carbon chain and does not represent glycolic acid.
- D. HOOCC2H4OH: This again represents a different compound and is not correct.
Thus, the correct answer is: A. HOCH2COOH.