Why is m-cresol soluble in Bicarbonate Solution?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 12, 2018

Well, what is #"m-cresol"#?

Explanation:

en.wikipedia.org

And thus m-cresol is a PHENOL derivative, that is much more acidic than an aliphatic alcohol. Its acidity, #pK_a=10.01#, is slightly LESS than that of phenol, #pK_a=9.95# … but still high for a carbon acid.

And thus we expect the reaction with bicarbonate...

#m-C_6H_5(CH_3)OH + HCO_3^(-) rarr m-C_6H_5(CH_3)O^(-)+H_2O+CO_2(g)uarr#

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