Q38P - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Calculate the pK_a's for the following acids:

(a) Lactic acid, Ka = 8.4 × 10^-4 

(b) Acrylic acid, Ka = 5.6 × 10^-6

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The value of pK_a for lactic and acrylic acid were calculated.

Step 1: Calculation the value of pK a for lactic acid

The formula can be denoted as,

$\begin{array}{l}p{K}_a=-\log K_a\\ p{K}_a=-\log (8.4\times {10}^{-4})\\ p{K}_a=3.08\end{array}$

The pK_a of lactic acid is 3.08.

Step 2: Calculation the value of pK a for acrylic acid

 The formula can be denoted as,

$\begin{array}{l}p{K}_a=-\log K_a\\ p{K}_a=-\log (5.6\times {10}^{-6})\\ p{K}_a=5.25\end{array}$

The pK_a of lactic acid is 5.25.