Chapter 6: Acidity and Basicity

We are going to use a couple of examples to see how we can use the acidity ladder to answer some questions about acid / base reactions.

1. Which bases could be used to deprotonate an alcohol ?

If we wish to deprotonate an alcohol, then the alcohol is functioning as an acid, and we need to identify the alcohol in the acid column (left side). SHOW ME

This acid will be effectively deprotonated by any conjugate base (right side) that is above the position of the alcohol. SHOW ME

2. Which acids could be used to protonate an amine ?

If we wish to protonate an amine, then the amine is functioning as a base, and we need to identify the amine in the conjugate base column (right side). SHOW ME

This base will be effectively protonated by any acid (left side) that is below the position of the amine. SHOW ME

© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry