How do we assess the acidities of organic compounds in water?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 9, 2017

How else but by measurement of the #pH# of their aqueous solutions?

Explanation:

There are a few organic acids....and their acidity is indicated by actual measurement. The presence of a carboxyl functional group....i.e. #RC(=O)OH# is a good indicator.

#RCO_2H(aq) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoonsRCO_2^(-) + H_3O^+#

Likewise, there are also a few organic bases, i.e. #R_3stackrel(ddot)N#, the which can behave as a base in aqueous solution...

#R_3N(aq) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoonsR_3NH^+ + HO^-#

Most of the time these equilibria LIE to the LEFT as we face the page.

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