what happens when a solution of water and t butyl are shaken up with saturated potassium carbonate?
Potassium carbonate will decrease solubility of t-butyl alcohol in the aqueous phase. Mixture separates into 2 layer with t-butyl alcohol on top.
This begs the question, t-butyl WHAT?
t-butyl alcohol
When a solution of water and t-butyl is shaken up with saturated potassium carbonate, a reaction known as an acid-base reaction occurs. This reaction is commonly referred to as neutralization.
To understand what happens in this reaction, we first need to know the properties of the substances involved:
1. Water (H2O): Water is a neutral compound with a pH of 7. It can act as a solvent for many substances.
2. t-butyl (abbreviated as t-Bu): t-butyl is a branched alkyl group (CH3)3C-. It is typically present as a dissolved organic compound in the reaction.
3. Potassium carbonate (K2CO3): Potassium carbonate is a salt that can dissolve in water to form potassium ions (K+) and carbonate ions (CO3^2-).
When the solution of water and t-butyl is mixed with saturated potassium carbonate, the following reaction occurs:
(CH3)3C-OH (t-butyl) + H2O + K2CO3 → (CH3)3COK (potassium t-butoxide) + H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
In this reaction, the t-butyl compound acts as a weak acid, releasing a hydrogen ion (H+) to form t-butoxide (CH3)3COK. The potassium carbonate acts as a strong base, releasing hydroxide ions (OH^-) in solution.
The t-butoxide and hydroxide ions then come into contact, resulting in the formation of water (H2O) and the release of the corresponding potassium (K+) ion:
(CH3)3COK (potassium t-butoxide) + OH^- (from K2CO3) → (CH3)3COH (t-butyl alcohol) + K+ (from K2CO3)
The carbonic acid (H2CO3) that is formed is quite unstable and decomposes rapidly into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2):
H2CO3 → H2O + CO2
Overall, this reaction leads to the formation of t-butyl alcohol and the release of carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct.