Both carboxylic acids and phenols react with strong bases to produce _____.
gaseous products
the conjugate base of the carboxylic acid or phenol
a complex with water
a stronger acid or phenol
Are these the choices or part of the question. Both phenols and carboxylic acids react with strong bases to form salts but that isn't one of the choices. The salt is a conjugate base of the acid or phenol.
these are the choices
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the reaction between carboxylic acids, phenols, and strong bases. When carboxylic acids or phenols react with strong bases, they undergo deprotonation, meaning they lose a proton (H+). This results in the formation of the corresponding conjugate base.
In the case of carboxylic acids, the reaction can be represented as follows:
Carboxylic Acid + Strong Base → Conjugate Base + Water
For example, acetic acid (CH3COOH) reacts with a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form sodium acetate (CH3COO-) and water (H2O).
Similarly, phenols also undergo deprotonation in the presence of a strong base:
Phenol + Strong Base → Conjugate Base + Water
For instance, phenol (C6H5OH) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form sodium phenoxide (C6H5O-) and water (H2O).
Therefore, the correct answer is:
the conjugate base of the carboxylic acid or phenol