Solubility help!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Homoochan

Full Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2008
Messages
493
Reaction score
1
one of the solution from AAMC question says:

amine and carboxylic acid are soluble in dilute acid and base while amide and nitro-compounds are not.

Why are amine and carboxylic acid soluble in dilute acid and base?
If amine is a weak base, it should have low tendency to gain H, and dilute acid should have low tendency to donate H. How can amine soluble then?

Members don't see this ad.
 
Ok here is what I am thinking I am open to any other ideas. Solubility just has to do with intermolecular forces like h-bonding, Vander waals, dipole, and momentary dipole. So here goes......Any acid or base is obviously charged and can form h-bond with other compounds. That is why a carboxylic acid is more soluble in aqueous solutions than it corresponding alkane or the less oxidized aldehyde. So a carboxylic is soluble in a week acid or base as it can h-bond. So can an amine for h-bonds with the nitrogen in mostly primary and secondary amines.
Now we can go on to amides they act like tertiary amine and can not donate any h-bonds and can only accept them. The polar carbonyl is less polar due to resonance with the nitrogen and forms a partial shared double bond with the nitrogen and carbonyl. Again both of these groups can only accept h-bonds and cannot donate such. Making amines more soluble than its corresponding alkane but much less soluble than the corresponding acid or alcohol.
 
one of the solution from AAMC question says:

amine and carboxylic acid are soluble in dilute acid and base while amide and nitro-compounds are not.

Why are amine and carboxylic acid soluble in dilute acid and base?
If amine is a weak base, it should have low tendency to gain H, and dilute acid should have low tendency to donate H. How can amine soluble then?

Consider amino acids - dilute base solution deprotonates the carboxylic acid and and dilute acid solution can protonate the amine - whenever you have a relative base and acid the acid is going to protonate the base.
 

Similar threads

6
Replies
6
Views
3K
663697
6
Replies
2
Views
720
deleted783484
D
D
  • Question
Replies
0
Views
747
deleted647690
D
Top