Error Analysis — NEET Traps Table — Notes

#	Common Trap	Wrong Thinking	Correct Answer
1	NaBH4 reduces carboxylic acids	"NaBH4 reduces C=O, so it should reduce RCOOH"	NaBH4 is too mild; RCOOH C=O is less electrophilic. Only LiAlH4 works.
2	HCOOH is weaker than CH3COOH	"More carbons = more organic = more acidic"	HCOOH (pKa 3.75) > CH3COOH (4.76). H has no +I; CH3 has +I.
3	Benzoic acid undergoes HVZ	"All carboxylic acids undergo HVZ"	No alpha-H → no HVZ. Benzoic acid alpha-C is sp2 aromatic ring.
4	Formic acid undergoes HVZ	"HCOOH has C–H, so it has alpha-H"	The only C–H in HCOOH is the carboxyl C–H (C-1). No separate alpha-C exists.
5	Soda lime decarboxylation of formate gives methane	"HCOO– minus COOH should give H– = CH4"	"R" in formate = H, so product is H2 (not CH4).
6	More alkyl groups = stronger acid	"+I is electron withdrawal = stabilizes anion"	+I (alkyl) is electron DONATION, destabilizing COO–, making acid weaker.
7	Fischer esterification is irreversible	"The acid is consumed"	Fischer esterification is REVERSIBLE. Saponification is irreversible.
8	Saponification gives free carboxylic acid	"Ester + NaOH → acid + alcohol"	Saponification gives carboxylate SALT (RCOONa), not free acid (RCOOH).
9	Kolbe electrolysis occurs at cathode	"Reduction = cathode = coupling"	Kolbe is OXIDATIVE (at anode). RCOO– → RCOO• → R• + CO2 → R–R.
10	PCl5 is preferred over SOCl2 for acyl chlorides	"Both do the same job"	SOCl2 gives gaseous byproducts (SO2, HCl); PCl5 gives liquid POCl3. SOCl2 is preferred.