How many protons can an acetic acid #CH_3COOH#molecule donate in an acid-base reaction?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 22, 2016

#H_3C-CO_2H + H_2O rightleftharpoonsH_3C-CO_2^(-) + H_3O^+#

Explanation:

Acetic acid can only donate the one protium ion in aqueous solution; it is moderately weak with #pK_a# #=# #4.76#.

A strong base would deprotonate acetic acid completely to form, say, #"sodium acetate"#.

#H_3C-CO_2H + NaOH rightleftharpoonsH_3C-CO_2^(-)Na^(+) + H_2O#

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