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Acetic acid can also react as a very weak base (pKb = 20). Two different sites on acetic
Chapter 2, Problem PROBLEM 2-20(choose chapter or problem)
Acetic acid can also react as a very weak base (pKb = 20). Two different sites on acetic acid might become protonated to give the conjugate acid. Draw both of these possible conjugate acids, and explain (resonance) why the correct one is more stable. Calculate the pKa of this conjugate acid.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Acetic acid can also react as a very weak base (pKb = 20). Two different sites on acetic acid might become protonated to give the conjugate acid. Draw both of these possible conjugate acids, and explain (resonance) why the correct one is more stable. Calculate the pKa of this conjugate acid.
ANSWER:Step 1 of 3
There are two possibilities of protonation for acetic acid. The first possibility is that the protonation can occur at the OH group of the acetic acid. It is shown below.
The resonance stabilization is not possible when the protonation takes place at the OH site.