Organic Chemistry · Chapter 8: Carboxylic Acids

Question

The hydroxyl hydrogen of a carboxylic acid is quite ____.

Answer

The hydroxyl hydrogen of a carboxylic acid is quite acidic.
The hydroxyl hydrogen of a carboxylic acid is quite acidic.
Why do carboxylic acids dissociate to a greater extent than do alcohols?
The difference is that the hydroxy substituent of a carboxylic acid is attached to a carbonyl group, whose positively polarized and sp2 -hybridized carbonyl carbon exerts a powerful electron-withdrawing inductive effect. In addition, the carboxylate ion is signifi cantly stabilized by resonance, much as is the enolate ion formed by deprotonation of the -carbon in aldehydes and ketones.

Keep this card coming back until it sticks

Sign up free and spaced repetition will bring Chapter 8: Carboxylic Acids cards back right before you forget them.

Continue studying — sign up free

More cards in Chapter 8: Carboxylic Acids

← All cards in Chapter 8: Carboxylic Acids