When considering the acidic strength of hydrocarbons, which reaction intermediate is formed that dir — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Acidic strength depends on the stability of the conjugate base. Ethyne loses a proton to form the ethynyl carbanion ($HC\equiv C^-$), which is $sp$ hybridized. The high s-character (50%) stabilizes the negative charge better than the $sp^2$ carbanion from ethene, making ethyne more acidic.