Chapter 3.4, Problem 16ATS

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Acidic proton to be identified in Ascorbic acid.

Concept Introduction

${\text{PK}}_{\text{a}}$Value: The ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ value computes the acidity of an acid. This value depends upon the chemical property and identity of the compound.

${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ ${\text{= - log K}}_{\text{a}}$

Where,

${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ is the measure of strength of an acid. If the acid is strong means ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ on the order of ${\text{10}}^{\text{10}}$ and weak means ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ on the order of ${\text{10}}^{-50}.$ Strong acid means ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ value is low value and Weak acid means ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ value is high.

If we know which proton is the more acidic and which proton is the less acidic we can make the determination regarding basicity.