How can I draw the following carboxylic acids: butanoic acid, 2-methylpentanoic acid, 3,5-dimethylheptanoic acid?

The first step is to draw the bond line based on the root; the second is to add the double bound oxygen along with the hydroxide since you know it's acid; and the third is to add any substituents afterwards.

In the first example, there are four carbons: - At carbon number 1, there is a hydroxide and one double-bound oxygen atom.

In the second example, there are five carbons, one double-bound oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom at carbon number 1, and one methyl group (1 carbon) at carbon number 2.

The third example has seven carbons, one double-bound oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom at carbon number 1. A methyl group (1 carbon) is present at carbon numbers 3 and 5.

Recall that the double bonded oxygen and hydrogen atom are always at carbon number 1.

To draw the structural formulas of the specified carboxylic acids:

1. Butanoic acid: Draw a chain of four carbon atoms with a carboxyl group (COOH) attached to the first carbon atom.

2. 2-Methylpentanoic acid: Draw a chain of five carbon atoms with a methyl group (CH3) attached to the second carbon atom and a carboxyl group (COOH) attached to the first carbon atom.

3. 3,5-Dimethylheptanoic acid: Draw a chain of seven carbon atoms with methyl groups (CH3) attached to the third and fifth carbon atoms, and a carboxyl group (COOH) attached to the first carbon atom.