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Multiple Choice
Rank the following compounds in the order of increasing acidity.
A
c < d < a < b
B
d < a < b < c
C
b < a < d < c
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1
Identify the functional groups in each compound: a) primary amine, b) lactone (cyclic ester), c) carboxylic acid, d) quaternary ammonium salt.
Recall the general acidity order of functional groups: carboxylic acids are more acidic than esters, which are more acidic than amines. Quaternary ammonium salts are not acidic.
Analyze the structure of each compound: a) isopropylamine, b) caprolactone, c) acrylic acid, d) trimethylammonium ion.
Consider the stability of the conjugate base: c) carboxylate ion is stabilized by resonance, b) lactone has no acidic hydrogen, a) amine has a lone pair on nitrogen, d) quaternary ammonium has no acidic hydrogen.
Rank the compounds based on acidity: d) is least acidic (no acidic hydrogen), a) is next (amine), b) follows (lactone), and c) is most acidic (carboxylic acid).