Problem c) asks to draw the form in which the compoundCF3CH2OH will predomitate

Question

Problem c) asks to draw the form in which the compoundCF3CH2OH will predomitate at pH=3,pH=6,pH=10, and pH=14. Theanswer is that it will predominate in its acidic form CF3CH2OH whenthe pH is below its pKa=12.4 and it will perdominate in its basicform CF3CH2O- when the pH is below its pKa=12.4, since CF3CH2OH --> CF3CH2O- + H+ acidicform             basicform My question is, how do I know that CF3CH2OH is its acidicform and CF3CH2O- is its basic form. Why not... CF3CH2OH + H+ --> CF3CH2OH2+     ...?                                     basicform                        acidic form How do I know when a compound given is in its acid or basicform? Thank you. Problem c) asks to draw the form in which the compoundCF3CH2OH will predomitate at pH=3,pH=6,pH=10, and pH=14. Theanswer is that it will predominate in its acidic form CF3CH2OH whenthe pH is below its pKa=12.4 and it will perdominate in its basicform CF3CH2O- when the pH is below its pKa=12.4, since CF3CH2OH --> CF3CH2O- + H+ acidicform             basicform My question is, how do I know that CF3CH2OH is its acidicform and CF3CH2O- is its basic form. Why not... CF3CH2OH + H+ --> CF3CH2OH2+     ...?                                     basicform                        acidic form How do I know when a compound given is in its acid or basicform? Thank you.

Explanation / Answer

Well you have to think what an acid does and what a basedoes. A base accepts a proton and an O- is looking foranyhting positive to grab. While an acid is a proton donorlooking to lose a proton or the H+. Most times OH is an acidin organic chemistry which is different than regularchemistry. Good Luck

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