See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Concept: In an acid-base equilibrium, the position of equilibrium is determined by comparing the pKa values of the acid on the left (reactant acid) and the acid on the right (product acid). The equilibrium favors formation of the weaker acid (higher pKa) and the weaker base. Step 1: Identify the acids on each side. - Reactant acid: H2O with pKa = 15.7 - Product acid: t-butanol with pKa = 18 Step 2: Determine equilibrium direction. The equilibrium favors the side with the weaker acid (higher pKa). Since t-butanol (pKa = 18) is a weaker acid than water (pKa = 15.7), the equilibrium favors the products (right side). Step 3: Calculate Keq. Keq = 10^(pKa(reactant acid) - pKa(product acid)) = 10^(18 - 15.7) = 10^2.3 ≈ 200 Since Keq >> 1, the equilibrium strongly favors the products. Step 4: Evaluate each option. (a) The equilibrium favours the products - TRUE. As shown above, Keq >> 1. (b) t-Butoxide is the dominant anionic species - FALSE. Since equilibrium favors products, OH- is the dominant anionic species. (c) Water is the weaker acid - FALSE. Water has pKa = 15.7, which is lower than t-butanol's pKa = 18, making water the stronger acid. (d) t-Butoxide is stabilized by resonance - FALSE. t-Butoxide is an alkoxide with no resonance stabilization; it is only inductively/hyperconjugatively affected. Therefore, the correct answer is A.