MOLECULAR POLARITYFIELD NOTE 31 / 175
Is Propionic Acid (C3H6O2) polar or nonpolar?
Propionic Acid (C3H6O2) is polar because its C=O and O–H bonds give the carboxylic-acid end a strong dipole.
Propionic Acid · trigonal planar at carboxyl C
The molecule in space
Drag to turn the molecule. Show angles to read the model geometry.
01 / MODEL RECORDPubChem 3D coordinates. Atom sizes and bond thickness are illustrative.How model data is used ↗
Why C3H6O2 is polar
Propionic acid, also called propanoic acid, has a two-carbon alkyl group attached to COOH. The carboxyl end is electron rich relative to the hydrocarbon end.
What to notice
A neutral acid molecule is shown here. In water, propionic acid can transfer its O–H proton to form propionate, a different charged species.
Common questions about Propionic Acid (C3H6O2)
- 01
What does the Lewis structure of Propionic Acid (C3H6O2) show?
The structure is CH3–CH2–C(=O)–OH. The carboxyl carbon has three bonding directions; each oxygen has lone pairs.
- 02
What is the molecular geometry of Propionic Acid (C3H6O2)?
Propionic Acid (C3H6O2) has a trigonal planar at carboxyl C molecular geometry. The 3D model shows representative bond angles of 111.9° and 112° and 109.4°. These angles come from the displayed model coordinates.
- 03
What is the molar mass of Propionic Acid (C3H6O2)?
C3H6O2 has an approximate molar mass of 74.08 g/mol, calculated from its formula using abridged standard atomic weights. Natural isotope variation can change the last digits.