Predict the direction of the following equilibrium and the approximate value of Keq.
$C H_{4}$ + $O H^{-}$ $⇌$ $C H_{3}^{-}$ + $H_{2} O$ ( $p K_{a}$ : $C H_{4}$ = 50, $H_{2} O$ = 15.74)

Question

Predict the direction of the following equilibrium and the approximate value of Keq. C H 4 ​ + O H − ⇌ C H 3 − ​ + H 2 ​ O ( p K a ​ : C H 4 ​ = 50, H 2 ​ O = 15.74)

TestHub · Accepted Answer

An acid-base equilibrium always favours the side with the weaker acid (the higher p K a ​ ). The acid on the left is C H 4 ​ ( p K a ​ 50) and the acid on the right is H 2 ​ O ( p K a ​ 15.74); methane is far weaker, so the equilibrium lies far to the left. Keq ≈ 1 0 15 ⋅ 74 − 50 = 1 0 − 34 ⋅ 26 ⋅

Chemistry - GOC Question with Solution | TestHub

Options:

Doubts & Discussion