Carboxylic Acids

[Sean Sugai 4E]

Why are all carboxylic acids weak in water?

[MMckinney_4H]

The difference between a weak acid and a strong acid is the amount of it that dissociates in water. Not every Carboxylic Acid molecule will dissociate when it comes in contact with water whereas something like Hydrochloric Acid would have every molecule dissociate.

[LReedy_3C]

Additionally, the bond strength affects an acids strength, because strong acids will have weaker bonds that allow them to lose protons more easily, and fully dissociates in water.

[805307623]

Carboxylic acids have a lot of electron cloud density and a strong bond due to the O-H group. Because of this it becomes difficult for the carboxylic acid to furnish the H+ ions and dissociate.

[KaitlynBali_4B]

Although carboxylic acids are considered to be weak acids, it is also important to remember that the acid can become stronger if the groups attached to the carboxyl group have high electronegativities. However, they will not necessarily be a strong as a strong acids like HCl.

[ZevMarx-Kahn3C]

How much of this will we need to know for the final?