Given the following reactions, predict whether reactants or products predominate.

Question

The acetate ion, Ac^-, is a stronger base than water, which is a stronger base than chloride ion, Cl^-.

Given the following reactions, predict whether reactants or products predominate.

HCl(aq) + H2O ⇒ H3O⁺(aq) + Cl^-(aq)

HAc(aq) + H2O ⇒ H3O⁺(aq) + Ac^-(aq)

Answer 1

The reaction will go toward the weaker acid or base

HCl(aq) + H2O ⇒ H3O⁺(aq) + Cl^-(aq) ... products will predominate

HAc(aq) + H2O ⇒ H3O⁺(aq) + Ac^-(aq) ... reactants will predominate