Chapter 21, Problem 21.33P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Water insoluble carboxylic acids are dissolving in $10\%$ aqueous bicarbonate whereas water insoluble phenols are not dissolving in it. The reason for this statement has to be accounted.

Concept Introduction:

Stronger and weaker acids:

Stronger acids are more reactive because of their less stability whereas weaker acids are less reactive because of their more stability. So, the equilibrium always shifts in the forward direction with respect to the stronger acids because stronger acids are more reactive to form the products. Therefore, in an equilibrium reaction, the equilibrium shifts only in accordance to the stronger acids and not with respect to the weaker acids.