Textbook Question
Benzene and pyridine are both single-ring, aromatic compounds. Benzene is a neutral compound that is insoluble in water. Pyridine, with a similar molar mass, is basic and completely miscible with water. Explain these phenomena.
Ch.16 Amines
McMurry8th EditionFundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134015187
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Matter and Measurements27
- Ch.2 Atoms and the Periodic Table20
- Ch.3 Ionic Compounds8
- Ch.4 Molecular Compounds23
- Ch.5 Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions12
- Ch.6 Chemical Reactions: Mole and Mass Relationships28
- Ch.7 Chemical Reactions: Energy, Rate and Equilibrium64
- Ch.8 Gases, Liquids and Solids24
- Ch.9 Solutions52
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases25
- Ch.11 Nuclear Chemistry22
- Ch.12 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Alkanes57
- Ch.13 Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds47
- Ch.14 Some Compounds with Oxygen, Sulfur, or a Halogen50
- Ch.15 Aldehydes and Ketones45
- Ch.16 Amines42
- Ch.17 Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives57
- Ch.18 Amino Acids and Proteins82
- Ch.19 Enzymes and Vitamins63
- Ch.20 Carbohydrates44
- Ch.21 The Generation of Biochemical Energy65
- Ch.22 Carbohydrate Metabolism45
- Ch.23 Lipids42
- Ch.24 Lipid Metabolism33
- Ch.25 Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism24
- Ch.26 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis45
McMurry8th EditionFundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134015187Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 16, Problem 61
Lemon juice, which contains citric acid, is traditionally recommended for removing the odor associated with cleaning fish. What functional group is responsible for a 'fishy' odor, and why does lemon juice work to remove the odor? If possible, test this at home using a piece of fish.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the functional group responsible for the 'fishy' odor. The 'fishy' odor is typically caused by amines, which are organic compounds containing the functional group \( \text{R-NH}_2 \) (primary amines), \( \text{R}_2\text{NH} \) (secondary amines), or \( \text{R}_3\text{N} \) (tertiary amines). These compounds are basic and volatile, contributing to the strong odor.
Understand the chemical properties of citric acid in lemon juice. Citric acid is a weak organic acid with the formula \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_8\text{O}_7 \). It contains carboxylic acid groups \( \text{-COOH} \), which can donate protons (\( \text{H}^+ \)) in an acid-base reaction.
Explain the reaction between amines and citric acid. When amines (basic) come into contact with citric acid (acidic), an acid-base reaction occurs. The amines accept protons from the citric acid, forming ammonium ions \( \text{R-NH}_3^+ \), which are non-volatile and odorless.
Describe why this reaction removes the odor. The conversion of volatile amines to non-volatile ammonium ions eliminates the 'fishy' smell because the ammonium ions do not evaporate into the air as easily as the amines do.
Optional experiment: To test this at home, rub a piece of fish with lemon juice and observe the reduction in odor. This demonstrates the acid-base reaction between citric acid and the amines present in the fish, neutralizing the odor.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the context of odors, certain functional groups, such as amines, are known to produce 'fishy' smells due to their structure and the way they interact with receptors in our noses.
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Citric Acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, including lemons. It has the ability to neutralize basic compounds, such as amines, which are often responsible for unpleasant odors. By reacting with these compounds, citric acid can effectively mask or eliminate the 'fishy' smell associated with fish.
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Odor Neutralization
Odor neutralization refers to the process of eliminating or masking unpleasant smells through chemical reactions or absorption. In the case of lemon juice, the citric acid interacts with the odor-causing compounds, altering their structure and reducing their volatility, which diminishes the perception of the 'fishy' odor.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Baeocystin is a hallucinogenic compound that is isolated from the mushroom Psilocybe baeocystis and has the structure shown below. What heterocyclic base (Table 16.1) is the parent of this compound?
Textbook Question
Complete the following equations (Hint: Answers may include concepts learned from previous organic chapters):
e.