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What best describes the solubility class of acetylsalicylic acid?

a)Strongly acidic compound
b)Weakly acidic compound
c)neutral compound
d)basic compound

User Bdetweiler
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Acetylsalicylic acid is best described as a weakly acidic compound due to its carboxyl group, which does not completely ionize in aqueous solutions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best description for the solubility class of acetylsalicylic acid is weakly acidic compound. Acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin, has a carboxyl group (-CO₂H) which acts as a weak acid. When it dissociates in an aqueous solution, it does not ionize completely like a strong acid would, and thus falls under the category of weak acids.

In the context of salicylic acid, the active ingredient formed by aspirin in the body, it also contains a carboxyl group and a phenol group. The carboxyl group acts as a weak acid while the phenol group, even though it can give off a proton (H+), is an even weaker acid. Together, this indicates that the compound can donate protons but not as efficiently as a strong acid, which typifies its classification as a weak acid.

User Igor Pashchuk
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