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The pKa\'s of p-toluic acid and p-tert-butylphenol are 4.2 and 10.2, respectivel

ID: 875432 • Letter: T

Question

The pKa's of p-toluic acid and p-tert-butylphenol are 4.2 and 10.2, respectively.

Based on the pKa's, which of the following is true about the acids?

Check all that apply.

-The Kb of the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Kb of the conjugate base of p-toluic acid.

-The conjugate base of p-toluic acid is more stable than the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol.

-The conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than the conjugate base of p-toluic acid.

-The Ka of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Ka of p-toluic acid

-The p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than p-toluic acid.

PLEASE HELP!

-The Kb of the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Kb of the conjugate base of p-toluic acid.

-The conjugate base of p-toluic acid is more stable than the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol.

-The conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than the conjugate base of p-toluic acid.

-The Ka of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Ka of p-toluic acid

-The p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than p-toluic acid.

PLEASE HELP!

Explanation / Answer

Let us find Ka values from the given pKa

The formula used is

pKa = = log Ka

Let's find Ka of p-toluic acid first

4.2 = - log Ka

Ka = 10^-4.2

Ka = 6.31 x 10^-5

Similarly Ka of  p-tert-butylphenol would be

10.2 = - log Ka

Ka = 10^-10.2

Ka = 6.31 x 10^-11

Ka of p-toluic acid is 6.31 x 10^-5 and Ka of  p-tert-butylphenol is 6.31 x 10^-11

That mean Ka of p-toluic acid is higher than that of  p-tert-butylphenol . therefore statement #4 is not correct

The Ka of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Ka of p-toluic acid - Not Correct

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Ka values can be directly correlated with the strength of the acid. An acid with higher Ka value is stronger. Based on the Ka values calculated above, we can say that p-toluic acid is stronger than  p-tert-butylphenol as it has higher Ka value

Therefore statement #5 is not correct

The p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than p-toluic acid - Not Correct

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a relatively stronger acid forms a relatively weaker conjugate base. Now if we compare basicity of the given substances, we can say that p-tertbutylphenol is stronger base than p-toluic acid. Therefore conjugate formed by p-tertbutylphenol would be less acidic than that formed by p-toluic acid.

Also the conjugate of p-toluic acid is more stabilized by resonance so it would be more acidic.

Therefore statement #3 is not correct

The conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is stronger acid than the conjugate base of p-toluic acid. - Not Correct

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Since Ka of p-tert-butylphenol is lower, it would have higher Kb . That means conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol would have higher Kb than conjugate base of p-toluic acid.

Statement #1 is correct

The Kb of the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol is higher than the Kb of the conjugate base of p-toluic acid. - Correct

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Conjugate base of p-toluic acid is more stable than that of p-tertbutylphenol. This statement is correct

Statement #2 is correct

The conjugate base of p-toluic acid is more stable than the conjugate base of p-tert-butylphenol.- Correct

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