Why acetic acid is regarded as monoprotic acid?
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The chemical formula of acetic acid is CH3COOH. The only hydrogen that can be given off is the one from the carboxylic acid group, COOH:
CH3COOH <--> CH3COO- + H+
Recall that acetic acid is a weak carboxylic acid, meaning that it dissociates only partially in water, hence the double arrow in the equation above. Since acetic acid is capable of releasing only one hydrogen proton, it is classified as a monoprotic acid.
Trifluoroacetic acid (CF3COOH) can still only release one, and the same, hydrogen. However, unlike acetic acid, it is a very strong carboxylic acid. This is due to the presence of three fluorine atoms that are extremely electronegative, causing electron density within the molecule to shift away from the carboxylic acid group. This causes the hydrogen proton to become even more electron-deficient and thus easier to release, making trifluoroacetic acid quite strong. When trifluoroacetic acid is compared to acetic acid, it is found to be nearly 100,000 times more acidic.
I hope this helps! Goo
CH3COOH <--> CH3COO- + H+
Recall that acetic acid is a weak carboxylic acid, meaning that it dissociates only partially in water, hence the double arrow in the equation above. Since acetic acid is capable of releasing only one hydrogen proton, it is classified as a monoprotic acid.
Trifluoroacetic acid (CF3COOH) can still only release one, and the same, hydrogen. However, unlike acetic acid, it is a very strong carboxylic acid. This is due to the presence of three fluorine atoms that are extremely electronegative, causing electron density within the molecule to shift away from the carboxylic acid group. This causes the hydrogen proton to become even more electron-deficient and thus easier to release, making trifluoroacetic acid quite strong. When trifluoroacetic acid is compared to acetic acid, it is found to be nearly 100,000 times more acidic.
I hope this helps! Goo
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