ater, alcohols can act as either acids or bases depending on the environment the

Question

ater, alcohols can act as either acids or bases depending on the environment they are in. In acidic conditions, water acts as a base; in basic conditions, water acts as an acid. H3O+ + Cl H2O + NaOH HO + H2O + Na+ - Predict the products of the following reactions of ethanol (CH,CH,OH) with HCI and NaOH - In which reaction is ethanol acting as a base? A or B? - In which reaction is ethanol is acting as an acid? A or B? -In which reaction does the ethanol molecule become electron rich? A or B? -In which reaction does the ethanol molecule become electron poor? A or B? Reaction A CHyCH2OH + NaOH ? Reaction B

Explanation / Answer

CH3CH2OH + HCl ---> CH3CH3O+ + Cl-

CH3CH2OH + NaOH ---> CH3CH2O- + Na+ + H2O

Ethanol acts as a base in reaction A and acts as an acid in reaction B.

Electron rich in reaction B (indicated by a negative sign) and electron poor in reaction A (indicated by a positive sign)

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