The pKa of ascorbic acid (vitamin C, page 55) is 4.17, showing that it is slightly more | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Organic Chemistry

Chapter 2 Problem 2-54

Question

The \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}}\) of ascorbic acid (vitamin C, page 55) is 4.17, showing that it is slightly more acidic than acetic acid \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\right.,\left.\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}}\ 4.74\right)\).

(a) Show the four different conjugate bases that would be formed by deprotonation of the four different OH groups in ascorbic acid.

(b) Compare the stabilities of these four conjugate bases, and predict which OH group of ascorbic acid is the most acidic.

(c) Compare the most stable conjugate base of ascorbic acid with the conjugate base of acetic acid, and suggest why these two compounds have similar acidities, even though ascorbic acid lacks the carboxylic acid (COOH) group.

Solution

Step 1 of 3

(a) The structure of ascorbic acid is as follows.

Let’s mark the four hydroxy groups in the ascorbic acid as follows.

The ascorbic acid has four different hydroxy groups .And they formed four conjugate bases by the deprotonation.

The following conjugated bases are formed.

Subscribe to view the
full solution

Title Organic Chemistry 9 
Author Leroy G. Wade, Jan W. Simek
ISBN 9780321971371

The pKa of ascorbic acid (vitamin C, page 55) is 4.17, showing that it is slightly more

Chapter 2 textbook questions

×

Login

Organize all study tools for free

Or continue with
×

Register

Sign up for access to all content on our site!

Or continue with

Or login if you already have an account

×

Reset password

If you have an active account we’ll send you an e-mail for password recovery

Or login if you have your password back