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What is the conjugate base of CH3CH2OH2+?

a.CH2CH2O
b.CH3CHO
c.CH3CH2O
d.CH3CH2OH2+
e.CH3CH2OH
f.None of these choices is correct.

1 Answer

3 votes

Final Answer:

The conjugate base of CH3CH2OH2+ is c. CH₃CH₂O. So Option C is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conjugate base of a species is formed by removing a proton (H⁺) from the original molecule. In this case, we start with CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺. To find the conjugate base, we remove a proton (H⁺) from it. The removal of a proton leaves us with CH₃CH₂O. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) CH₃CH₂O.

Now, let's delve into the chemical reasoning behind this. The given molecule, CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺, is an alcohol with a positive charge on the oxygen atom. The acidity in this molecule is associated with the hydrogen ion (H⁺) attached to the oxygen. The removal of this proton forms the conjugate base. In this case, the hydrogen is taken away, leaving CH₃CH₂O as the resulting species.

The answer is not (a) CH₂CH₂O or (b) CH₃CHO because the removal of a proton should be specifically from the OH group, and not from other carbon or oxygen atoms. It is not (d) CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺ because the conjugate base is formed by losing a proton, not retaining the original proton. Finally, it is not (e) CH₃CH₂OH because the conjugate base results from removing a specific proton from the original molecule.

In conclusion, the correct conjugate base of CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺ is (c) CH₃CH₂O, obtained by removing the hydrogen ion from the oxygen in the original species.

User Oscar Wahltinez
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