In which form will carboxylic acid, RCOOH, be present in an aqueous solution with pH of the solution equal to the pKa of the acid? A) primarily as RCOOH(aq) B) primarily as RCOO⁻ (aq) C) equal amounts of RCOOH(aq) and RCOO⁻ (aq) D) neither RCOOH(aq) nor RCOO⁻ (aq)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At pH equal to the pKa, the concentration of the protonated form (RCOOH) and the deprotonated form (RCOO⁻) of the acid is equal. Therefore, the aqueous solution will contain equal amounts of both forms.

In Which Form Will Carboxylic Acid, RCOOH, Be Present in an Aqueous