What is a homologous series of carbon compounds? List its any two characteristic. Write the name and formula of next higher homologue of HCOOH.
A homologous series is a series of compounds with the same functional group but have a different number of carbon atoms and hence hydrogen atoms also.
A homologous series is a series of compounds in which each member differs from the next/previous by CH2 or 14 mass units.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOMOLOGOUS SERIES:
• All the members of a homologous series can be represented by a general formula.
• As the members of a homologous series have a same functional group, the chemical properties of all the homologues of homologous series are same.
The higher homologue of HCOOH is CH3COOH which is ethanoic acid.