Chapter 3, Problem 42P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Each reaction has to be balanced and completed, and the suitable solvent among the given solvents is to be selected for each reaction.

Concept introduction:

Protic solvents form hydrogen bonds. They contain a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, whereas aprotic solvents do not form hydrogen bonds.

Protic solvents donate protons to reagents and aprotic solvents cannot donate hydrogen.

The strength of an acid is generally described in terms of acidity constant $\left(K_{\text{a}}\right)$ and $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ values.

A large value of $K_{\text{a}}$ indicates that the acid is strong and a small value of $K_{\text{a}}$ indicates a weak acid.

The value of pK_a of a reagent can be mathematical defined as:

$\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{= }-\text{log(}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{) }$,

The higher is the dissolution constant, that is, the reagent can produce more ions when dissolved in water, the stronger is the acid. Thus, by the above relation, strong acids have low pK_a.

The stronger the acid, the weaker is its conjugate base.

Larger the value of pK_a of the conjugate base, the stronger is the acid.