Q55E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Identify the acids and bases in the following reactions:

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

 (a) CH3OH act as a base, (Proton) H+ act as an acid

                 (b) Acetone act as a base, TiCl₄ act as an acid

                 (c) Sodium Hydride act as a base, cyclohexanone act as an acid

                 (d) Morpholine act as a base, Borane acts as an acid

Step 1: Definition of acid and base

Any substance can be referred to as Acid if it donates H⁺ to other chemical species present in the chemical reaction.

Any substance can be referred to as a Base if it accepts by the other chemical species.

Step 2: Subpar (a)

Methanol acts as a base as it accepts H⁺ ions.

And H⁺ act as acid as it gets donated to methanol

Step 3: Subpart (b)

A positive charge denotes that the species has donated its lone pair of electrons.

A negative charge shows that the species has accepted a lone pair of electrons

As acetone donates a lone pair of electrons and hence it can act as a base

But Titanium tetrachloride accepts a lone pair of electrons, so it behaves as an acid.

Step 4: Subpart (c)

Cyclohexane carbonyl contains a negative charge on the product side as it donates hydrogen.

Hydrogen or hydride present in NaH accepts hydrogen and releases dihydrogen gas

Cyclohexane carbonyl act as an acid.

Sodium hydride (NaH) acts as a base.

Step 5: Subpart (d)

A positive charge denotes that the species has donated its lone pair of electrons.

A negative charge shows that the species has accepted a lone pair of electrons.

As Morpholine nitrogen atom donates a lone pair of electron and hence it can act as a base

Borane accepts a lone pair of electrons so it behaves as an acid.