Consider the molecule p-aminobenzoic acid (). During a carefully controlled acid-base titration in a — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question
Question
Consider the molecule p-aminobenzoic acid ($H_2N-C_6H_4-COOH$). During a carefully controlled acid-base titration in an aqueous medium, exactly how many moles of hydrochloric acid ($HCl$) will chemically react to form a stable salt with 1 mole of this bifunctional organic compound?
💡 Solution & Explanation
The molecule contains two functional groups: a carboxylic acid group ($-COOH$), which acts strictly as a Bronsted acid, and an amino group ($-NH_2$), which acts as a Bronsted base. Hydrochloric acid ($HCl$), being a strong acid, will only react with the basic amino group ($-NH_2$) to form an anilinium chloride salt. It will not react with the acidic carboxyl group. Therefore, exactly 1 mole of $HCl$ is consumed.