4. The COOH group is called a carboxylic acid group. The second oxygen helps to stabilize the conjugate base after the hydrogen leaves by sharing the increased electron density. This makes it easier to break the O-H bond. Draw the following three Lewis structures, HCOOH, H^2CO^3 and CH^3OH. Which of the structures would make for the strongest acid, and which would result in the weakest acid? Justify your response in a sentence below the structures you draw.
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Answer

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Step 1
: Draw the Lewis structure for HCOOH (formic acid).

Formic acid, HCOOH, has a total of 12 valence electrons (6 from the C atom, 1 from the H atom, and 5 from the two O atoms). To draw the Lewis structure, follow these steps:

Step 2

Place the H atom in the center, as it is the least electronegative atom.

Final Answer

- Strongest acid: HCOOH (formic acid) - Weakest acid: CH^3OH (methanol)