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Solution Composition During Acid/Base Titrations

Solution Composition During Acid/Base Titrations

The titration of a weak acid with a strong base results in the formation of water and the conjugate base of the acid. For instance, titrating acetic acid with sodium hydroxide leads to the formation of water and sodium acetate. A solution of acetic acid and sodium acetate constitutes a buffer whose relative concentration at different stages of the titration is indicated by the α values, which represent percentages of the weak acid and its conjugate base.
The α0 and α1 values represent the...

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The Fischer esterification reaction was developed by the German chemist Emil Fischer in 1895. It is a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols in an acidic medium to give esters and water.

Polyprotic Acids

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Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Acid Halides, Esters, and Acid Anhydrides

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The IUPAC and common names of acid halides are derived from the corresponding carboxylic acids, by changing “ic acid” to “yl halide.” For example, as shown below, the IUPAC name ethanoyl chloride is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetyl chloride, is obtained from acetic acid.

Weak Acid Solutions

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Few compounds act as strong acids. A far greater number of compounds behave as weak acids and only partially react with water, leaving a large majority of dissolved molecules in their original form and generating a relatively small amount of hydronium ions. Weak acids are commonly encountered in nature, being the substances partly responsible for the tangy taste of citrus fruits, the stinging sensation of insect bites, and the unpleasant smells associated with body odor. A familiar example of a...

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Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile

Published on: October 30, 2018

Formic and acetic acid aggregation in the liquid state.

Silvia Imberti¹, Daniel T Bowron

¹STFC, ISIS facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK. silvia.imberti@stfc.ac.uk

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal

|March 10, 2011

Summary

Neutron diffraction and X-ray data reveal formic and acetic acid liquids exhibit high connectivity and disorder. Weaker hydrogen bonds are more prevalent than stronger ones, differing from their solid states.

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Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Materials Science
Chemical Physics

Background:

Understanding the liquid-state structure of simple organic acids is crucial for various chemical processes.
Previous studies often relied on indirect methods or less detailed structural information.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the microscopic structure of neat formic acid and acetic acid in their liquid states.
To compare the hydrogen bonding networks and aggregation patterns in these two similar carboxylic acids.

Main Methods:

Neutron diffraction with H/D substitution on the SANDALS instrument at ISIS.
Complementary X-ray diffraction measurements.
Empirical Potential Structure Refinement (EPSR) modeling integrating diffraction data with Monte Carlo simulations.

Main Results:

Detailed three-dimensional models of liquid formic and acetic acid were generated, consistent with diffraction data.
Both liquids show high connectivity but significant disorder, with a hierarchy of hydrogen bond strengths.
Weaker hydrogen bonds (involving carbonyl or methyl hydrogens) are more abundant than stronger hydroxyl-involved bonds.

Conclusions:

Cooperative effects are essential for describing the aggregation of formic and acetic acid in the liquid phase.
The liquid structures exhibit a greater diversity of hydrogen bonds compared to their solid-state counterparts.