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Explain why HC \(\equiv\) CH is more acidic than CH\(_3\)CH\(_3\), even though the C - H bond in HC \(\equiv\) CH has a higher bond dissociation energy than the C- H bond in CH\(_3\)CH\(_3\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
HC鈮H is more acidic because its conjugate base is more stable due to better charge distribution.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Acidic Character

To determine why a compound is more acidic, consider the ability to donate a proton (H鈦). A compound is more acidic if it more easily donates a proton and results in a more stable conjugate base.
02

Compare Bond Dissociation Energies

The bond dissociation energy indicates the strength of a bond. In acetylene (HC鈮H), the C-H bond is part of a triple bond, whereas in ethane (CH鈧僀H鈧), it is a single bond. The triple bond in acetylene is stronger, meaning higher bond dissociation energy compared to the single bonds in ethane.
03

Evaluate Conjugate Base Stability

When HC鈮H loses a proton, it forms the acetylide ion (HC鈮鈦), which is stabilized by the sp-hybridized carbon. This sp-hybridized carbon is more electronegative and holds the negative charge more effectively than the sp鲁-hybridized carbon which would form if CH鈧僀H鈧 were to donate a proton.
04

Conclusion on Acidity

The key factor for acidity is the stability of the conjugate base. Despite HC鈮H having a stronger C-H bond, its conjugate base (HC鈮鈦) is more stable due to effective charge distribution and electronegativity, making HC鈮H more acidic than CH鈧僀H鈧.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Bond Dissociation Energy
Bond dissociation energy (BDE) is a measure of the strength of a bond in a molecule. It indicates how much energy is needed to break a bond homolytically, which means breaking the bond evenly so that each atom takes away one electron and forms radicals.
In organic chemistry, higher BDE usually suggests a stronger bond because more energy is needed to break it. This might lead one to believe that a stronger bond would mean less acidity, as it's harder to remove the hydrogen atom. However, acidity revolves around the ease of proton donation and the stability of the resulting conjugate base.
For instance, HC鈮H (acetylene) has a higher BDE than CH鈧僀H鈧 (ethane) due to its triple bond, which is generally stronger than the single bonds in ethane. Yet, this doesn't directly correlate with acidity. The true determinant for HC鈮H's acidity is not just its bond strength, but how stable the resulting conjugate base is, once the proton is removed.
Conjugate Base Stability
The stability of a conjugate base plays a crucial role in determining a compound's acidity. After a compound donates a proton, it becomes a conjugate base. The more stable this base, the more likely the original compound is to donate a proton again and thus, more acidic.
When HC鈮H loses a proton, it forms the acetylide ion (HC鈮鈦). The stability of this ion is primarily because the negative charge resides on a carbon with sp-hybridization. This carbon has increased electronegativity and is better equipped to stabilize the negative charge.
In contrast, if ethane (CH鈧僀H鈧) were to lose a proton, the resulting conjugate base would have the negative charge on an sp鲁-hybridized carbon. Sp鲁 hybridized carbons are less electronegative and less stable holding a negative charge. This instability makes ethane a less likely candidate to donate a proton, making it less acidic.
Electronegativity in Organic Chemistry
Electronegativity refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons. In organic compounds, it significantly impacts the stability of molecules and their ionic counterparts.
In terms of acidity, a more electronegative atom can stabilize a negative charge more effectively. In the context of acetylene, the carbon atoms are sp-hybridized, which makes them more electronegative as compared to sp虏 or sp鲁 hybridized carbons.
This higher electronegativity in the acetylide ion (HC鈮鈦) compared to the potential conjugate base of ethane contributes to the increased acidity of HC鈮H. Effective charge distribution enhances the atom's ability to hold onto the negative charge, rendering the conjugate base more stable.
Hybridization and Acidity
The hybridization of carbon atoms in organic compounds influences their acidity significantly. Hybridization affects both the s-character of the bonds and the resulting polarity and electronegativity.
In acetylene (HC鈮H), the carbon atoms are sp-hybridized, exhibiting 50% s-character. This high s-character leads to higher electronegativity, and therefore, a stronger ability to stabilize the negative charge in the conjugate base (acetylide ion).
Ethane (CH鈧僀H鈧), however, has carbon atoms that are sp鲁-hybridized, possessing only 25% s-character. Lower s-character means lower electronegativity, resulting in a less stable conjugate base upon losing a proton.
  • sp-hybridized carbons: stronger acidity due to concentrated electronegativity.
  • sp鲁-hybridized carbons: weaker acidity due to dispersed electronegativity and less stability.
This difference in s-character and resulting stability is why HC鈮H is more acidic than CH鈧僀H鈧.

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