Which compound out of benzoic acid and azobenzene reacts with sodium hydroxide and which one becomes the aqueous layer?
Benzoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium benzoate, which is soluble in water and remains in the aqueous layer. Azobenzene does not react with sodium hydroxide and remains in the organic layer.
When benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) and azobenzene (C6H5N=NC6H5) react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), different reactions occur between the compounds.
Benzoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide in a neutralization reaction to form sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa) and water (H2O).
C6H5COOH + NaOH → C6H5COONa + H2O
On the other hand, azobenzene does not react with sodium hydroxide under normal conditions and, therefore, does not form any new products.
In this reaction, sodium benzoate, being highly soluble in water, would become part of the aqueous layer, while the azobenzene remains in the organic layer as it is insoluble in water.
To determine which compound reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and which one becomes the aqueous layer, we can look at the acidic and basic properties of each compound.
1. Benzoic Acid:
Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH) is a carboxylic acid, which means it can donate a hydrogen ion (H⁺) in an acidic solution. In the presence of a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH), benzoic acid will undergo an acid-base reaction. The sodium hydroxide will deprotonate the benzoic acid, forming sodium benzoate (C₆H₅COONa), which is water-soluble.
2. Azobenzene:
Azobenzene (C₆H₅N=N-C₆H₅) is an organic compound that does not have acidic properties. It does not contain an acidic hydrogen, so it cannot react with sodium hydroxide in an acid-base reaction.
Based on the properties of the compounds, benzoic acid will react with sodium hydroxide and form a water-soluble product, while azobenzene will not react and remain in the organic layer. Therefore, benzoic acid will become the aqueous layer, and azobenzene will stay in the organic layer.