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1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions

Metal Ion Catalysis: Water Activation

Organic Chemistry

31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions

Metal Ion Catalysis: Water Activation

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Multiple Choice

Given below are the pK_a values of metal ions after binding to water. If the greater the acidity of a metal cation then the more easily the complex forms, which of the following ions would facilitate the fastest basic hydrolysis of ethyl propanoate?

Al³⁺ (pK_a = 4.85)

Cu²⁺ (pK_a = 7.52)

Fe³⁺ (pK_a = 2.20)

Ni²⁺ (pK_a = 10.60)

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand that the pKa value is a measure of the acidity of a metal ion when it is bound to water. A lower pKa value indicates a stronger acid.

Recall that a stronger acid will donate protons more readily, which can facilitate the hydrolysis reaction by providing more H+ ions.

Compare the given pKa values: Al3+ (4.85), Cu2+ (7.52), Fe3+ (2.20), and Ni2+ (10.60).

Identify that Fe3+ has the lowest pKa value among the given metal ions, indicating it is the strongest acid.

Conclude that Fe3+, being the strongest acid, will facilitate the fastest basic hydrolysis of ethyl propanoate due to its ability to donate protons more readily, enhancing the reaction rate.

1:35m

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Struggling with Organic Chemistry?

Given below are the pKa values of metal ions after binding to water. If the greater the acidity of a metal cation then the more easily the complex forms, which of the following ions would facilitate the fastest basic hydrolysis of ethyl propanoate?

Watch next

Metal Ion Catalysis: Water Activation practice set

Given below are the pK_a values of metal ions after binding to water. If the greater the acidity of a metal cation then the more easily the complex forms, which of the following ions would facilitate the fastest basic hydrolysis of ethyl propanoate?