Ascorbic acid (vitamin

c. Does not contain a traditional carboxylic acid group, but it is, nevertheless, still fairly acidic (pka = 4.2). Identify the acidic proton and explain your choice using resonance structures, if necessary:

Question

Chemistry

Susan Rich

25 December, 16:48

Ascorbic acid (vitamin

c. Does not contain a traditional carboxylic acid group, but it is, nevertheless, still fairly acidic (pka = 4.2). Identify the acidic proton and explain your choice using resonance structures, if necessary:

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Lea Wagner · Answer 1

Let us see the structure of ascorbic acid

As shown there is no COOH group however the OH group can lose a proton and forms conjugate base

The conjugate base formed is stabilized due to resonance

More the stability of conjugate base more the strength of acid

Hence ascorbic acid behaves as an acid

Ascorbic acid (vitaminc. Does not contain a traditional carboxylic acid group, but it is, nevertheless, still fairly acidic (pka = 4.2). Identify the acidic proton and explain your choice using resonance structures, if necessary:

Ascorbic acid (vitamin

c. Does not contain a traditional carboxylic acid group, but it is, nevertheless, still fairly acidic (pka = 4.2). Identify the acidic proton and explain your choice using resonance structures, if necessary: