Given the reactants ch3ch2o- + nh3 complete the acid base reaction and explain equilibrium favorability.
CH3CH2O- + NH3 <=====> CH3CH2OH + NH2-
To find out the equilibrium position, compare the acidic strength of acid (NH3) and conjugate acid (CH3CH2OH) in the reaction for the forward direction. Both can be easily compared using their pKa vlalue. The species which has lower pKa value would give stable conjugate base (or can say that acid would bepresent in ionized form).
The pKa for acid NH3 is 38 and pKa for conjugate acid CH3CH2OH is 15.9. This clearily indicates that conjugate acid CH3CH2OH is stronger than acid NH3 and hence CH3CH2OH would be in ionized form leaving CH3CH2O-. So, CH3CH2OH will protonate NH2- to form of NH3 back along with CH3CH2O- and equilibrium will shift towards left side.
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