In fact,
most carboxylic acids exist as dimer in the vapour phase
or in the aprotic solvents Simple aliphatic carboxylic acids having upto four
carbon atoms are miscible in water due to the formation
of hydrogen bonds with water The solubility decreases
with increasing number of carbon atoms Higher
carboxylic acids are practically insoluble in water due to
the increased hydrophobic interaction of hydrocarbon
part