Which is more acidic? Explain your reasoning. HO ethanol ethanoic acid

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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### Which is more acidic? Explain your reasoning.

Below we have two chemical structures:

1. **Ethanol**: Represented by the structure `CH3-CH2-OH`, it features a hydroxyl group (-OH) bound to an ethyl chain.
2. **Ethanoic Acid (Acetic acid)**: Represented by the structure `CH3-COOH`, it features a carboxyl group (-COOH) bound to a methyl group.

**Explanation:**
Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is more acidic than ethanol. This is due to the difference in their molecular structures and how they dissociate in water. 

- Ethanoic acid contains a carboxyl group which can release a hydrogen ion (H+) more easily compared to the hydroxyl group in ethanol. 
- When ethanoic acid releases H+, it forms a carboxylate ion (`CH3-COO-`), which is stabilized by resonance. This resonance stabilization effectively delocalizes the negative charge over two oxygen atoms, reducing the energy and making it easier to release the proton.
- In contrast, ethanol, when releasing H+, forms an alkoxide ion (`CH3-CH2-O-`), which lacks such resonance stabilization.

Thus, ethanoic acid is a stronger acid compared to ethanol.
Transcribed Image Text:### Which is more acidic? Explain your reasoning. Below we have two chemical structures: 1. **Ethanol**: Represented by the structure `CH3-CH2-OH`, it features a hydroxyl group (-OH) bound to an ethyl chain. 2. **Ethanoic Acid (Acetic acid)**: Represented by the structure `CH3-COOH`, it features a carboxyl group (-COOH) bound to a methyl group. **Explanation:** Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is more acidic than ethanol. This is due to the difference in their molecular structures and how they dissociate in water. - Ethanoic acid contains a carboxyl group which can release a hydrogen ion (H+) more easily compared to the hydroxyl group in ethanol. - When ethanoic acid releases H+, it forms a carboxylate ion (`CH3-COO-`), which is stabilized by resonance. This resonance stabilization effectively delocalizes the negative charge over two oxygen atoms, reducing the energy and making it easier to release the proton. - In contrast, ethanol, when releasing H+, forms an alkoxide ion (`CH3-CH2-O-`), which lacks such resonance stabilization. Thus, ethanoic acid is a stronger acid compared to ethanol.
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