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Why is isopropyl alcohol (C3H8O) a weak acid?
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Norman Nicolson
Why is isopropyl alcohol (C3H8O) a weak acid?
Due to “positive inductive effect” of the hydrocarbon part of the molecule ( CH3-CH-CH3), the oxygen is more strongly bonded to hydrogen. This increases the PKa of the molecule.
To decrease the PKa, introduction of atoms with “negative inductive effect” is done. These are atoms with higher electronegativity, like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitrile group.
Due to “positive inductive effect” of the hydrocarbon part of the molecule ( CH3-CH-CH3), the oxygen is more strongly bonded to hydrogen. This increases the PKa of the molecule.
To decrease the PKa, introduction of atoms with “negative inductive effect” is done. These are atoms with higher electronegativity, like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitrile group.
Due to “positive inductive effect” of the hydrocarbon part of the molecule ( CH3-CH-CH3), the oxygen is more strongly bonded to hydrogen. This increases the PKa of the molecule.
To decrease the PKa, introduction of atoms with “negative inductive effect” is done. These are atoms with higher electronegativity, like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitrile group.
Due to “positive inductive effect” of the hydrocarbon part of the molecule ( CH3-CH-CH3), the oxygen is more strongly bonded to hydrogen. This increases the PKa of the molecule.
To decrease the PKa, introduction of atoms with “negative inductive effect” is done. These are atoms with higher electronegativity, like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitrile group.
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Isopropyl alcohol has a pKa of 17.1. It is an extremely weak acid, even weaker than water, which has a pKa of 15.7.
Isopropyl alcohol has a pKa of 17.1. It is an extremely weak acid, even weaker than water, which has a pKa of 15.7.
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