General formula of carbocyclic hydrocarbon:

• CnH2n for carboxylic alkane

• CnH2n-2 for carboxylic alkene having a single double bond

• CnH2n-4 for carboxylic alkyne having a single triple bond.

Explanation:

• Carboxylic compound may be carboxylic alkane or alkene or alkyne.  

• In case of alkane the compound has a cyclic structure where all the carbon atoms are attached to each other or to hydrogen by means of a single bond.  

• In case of cyclic alkene the carbon is attached to each other by single bond but may have a single double bond or more.  

• Triple bonds can also be present there they are known as carboxylic alkyne.

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