Textbook Question
Peroxyacetic acid (pKa = 8.2) is a much weaker acid than acetic acid (pKa = 4.74). Explain why peroxyacetic acid is a weaker acid than acetic acid.
2
views
Ch. 2 - Acids and Bases; Functional Groups
Wade9th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213728
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Structure and Bonding107
- Ch. 2 - Acids and Bases; Functional Groups115
- Ch.3 - Structure and Stereochemistry of Alkanes100
- Ch.4 - The Study of Chemical Reactions99
- Ch.5 - Stereochemistry93
- Ch.6 - Alkyl Halides; Nucleophilic Substitution118
- Ch. 7 - Structure and Synthesis of Alkenes; Elimination158
- Ch.8 - Reactions of Alkenes171
- Ch.9 - Alkynes91
- Ch.10 - Structure and Synthesis of Alcohols143
- Ch.11 - Reactions of Alcohols104
- Ch. 12 - Infrared Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry22
- Ch. 13 - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy45
- Ch. 14 - Ethers, Epoxides, and Thioethers72
- Ch. 15 - Conjugated Systems, Orbital Symmetry, and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy89
- Ch. 16 - Aromatic Compounds74
- Ch. 17 - Reactions of Aromatic Compounds126
- Ch. 18 - Ketones and Aldehydes193
- Ch. 19 - Amines129
- Ch. 20 - Carboxylic Acids77
- Ch. 21 - Carboxylic Acid Derivatives141
- Ch. 22 - Condensations and Alpha Substitutions of Carbonyl Compounds175
- Ch. 23 - Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids93
- Ch. 24 - Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins54
Chapter 2, Problem 42e
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(e) H2O + NH3 ⇌
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the acid and base in the reaction. In this case, water (H2O) can act as an acid, donating a proton (H⁺), and ammonia (NH3) can act as a base, accepting a proton.
Write the chemical equation for the proton transfer. Water donates a proton to ammonia, forming hydroxide ion (OH⁻) and ammonium ion (NH4⁺).
Use MathML to represent the chemical equation:
Consider the equilibrium of the reaction. The double arrow (⇌) indicates that the reaction can proceed in both directions, meaning the products can revert to reactants.
Understand the concept of conjugate acid-base pairs. In this reaction, NH3 and NH4⁺ are a conjugate acid-base pair, and H2O and OH⁻ are another conjugate acid-base pair.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
3mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Acid-Base Reaction
An acid-base reaction involves the transfer of a proton (H+) from an acid to a base. In the given reaction, water (H2O) acts as an acid, donating a proton to ammonia (NH3), which acts as a base. Understanding the roles of acids and bases is crucial for predicting the products of such reactions.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:49
The Lewis definition of acids and bases.
Bronsted-Lowry Acid and Base
The Bronsted-Lowry theory defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors. In the reaction H2O + NH3, H2O donates a proton to NH3, forming OH- and NH4+. This concept helps in identifying the conjugate acid-base pairs and predicting the products formed in the reaction.
Recommended video:
Guided course
00:54The Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases.
Conjugate Acid-Base Pair
A conjugate acid-base pair consists of two species that differ by a proton. In the reaction, H2O and OH- form a conjugate acid-base pair, while NH3 and NH4+ form another. Recognizing these pairs is essential for understanding the equilibrium and direction of acid-base reactions.
Recommended video:
2:56Base Pairing Concept 1
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(f)
1
views
Textbook Question
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(a) H2SO4 + CH3COO– ⇌
(b) CH3COOH + (CH3)3N: ⇌
2
views
Textbook Question
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(g) HCOOH + CH3O– ⇌
Textbook Question
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(c)
(d)
1
views
Textbook Question
Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions.
(g) HCOOH + CH3O– ⇌
(h) +NH3CH2COOH + 2 –OH ⇌
1
views