Which of the following reactions or statements illustrates, in one way or another, the acidic character of a carboxylic acid?
A. A carboxylic acid, such as acetic acid, will lower the pH of water when the acid is added to the water.
B. R-(C=O)-OH + H2O < = = = > R-(C=O)-O(-) + H3O(+)
C. R-(C=O)-OH < = = = > R-(C =O)-O(-) + H+
D. A carboxylic acid can react with a strong base, such as NaOH, to produce a carboxylate salt (in this case, a sodium salt of a carboxylic acid)
E. All of the above illustrate the acidic character of a carboxylic acid.