Question 1

Which compound in the table has the strongest acid strength, and what is the primary reason for its acidity?

Accepted Answer

HBr, because it has the lowest pKa and its conjugate base is stabilized by size.

Question 2

Given the pKa values in the table, which acid would be the best choice to protonate the conjugate base of water ($$\mathrm{HO\Theta}$$)?

Accepted Answer

HBr

Question 3

Which factor from SFERI is most responsible for the increased acidity of carboxylic acids compared to alcohols?

Accepted Answer

Resonance stabilization of the conjugate base

Question 4

Rank the following acids from strongest to weakest based on their pKa values: HBr, CH\_3CO\_2H, NH\_3.

Accepted Answer

HBr \u003e CH\_3CO\_2H \u003e NH\_3

Question 5

Which acid in the table would have the least tendency to donate a proton, and why?

Accepted Answer

CH\_4, because its conjugate base is not stabilized by resonance or induction.

Question 6

A student wants to convert a carboxylic acid to a primary alcohol. Which reagent should they use?

Accepted Answer

A strong reducing agent such as LiAlH\_4

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why CH\_3CO\_2H is a stronger acid than H\_2O?

Accepted Answer

The conjugate base of CH\_3CO\_2H is stabilized by resonance, while that of H\_2O is not.

Question 8

Which reaction would decrease the carbon count of a carboxylic acid by one?

Accepted Answer

Decarboxylation

Question 9

A compound with a carboxylic acid group and a carbonyl at the 3-position undergoes decarboxylation. What is the likely product?

Accepted Answer

A ketone

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a typical reaction of carboxylic acids?

Accepted Answer

Oxidation to a tertiary alcohol

Question 11

If you want to convert benzaldehyde to a ketone with a bromine in the meta position, which step should be performed first?

Accepted Answer

Convert the aldehyde to a ketone before bromination to avoid side reactions.

Question 12

Which acid in the table would be most likely to act as a base in a reaction with CH\_3CO\_2H?

Accepted Answer

NH\_3

Question 13

Which property is NOT considered in the SFERI model for conjugate base stability?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonding

Question 14

Which acid would be least likely to donate a proton to water?

Accepted Answer

CH\_4

Question 15

Which of the following statements about carboxylic acids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids are less acidic than inorganic acids like HBr.

Question 16

Which acid's conjugate base is most stabilized by resonance?

Accepted Answer

CH\_3CO\_2H

Question 17

Which acid would be most likely to react with a base to form its conjugate base, given its pKa?

Accepted Answer

HBr

Question 18

Which of the following is a plausible reason why CH\_3CO\_2H is a stronger acid than CH\_4?

Accepted Answer

The conjugate base of CH\_3CO\_2H is stabilized by resonance, while that of CH\_4 is not.

Question 19

Which acid would be most likely to act as a base in a reaction with HBr?

Accepted Answer

CH\_4

Carboxylic Acids: Properties, Acid Strength, and Reactions

Study Guide - Practice Questions