Is the C2H6 an acid in this equation:
C2H6(g) + Cl2 (g) - C2H5Cl(g) + HCl(g)
and how do you know?

Question

Is the C2H6 an acid in this equation:
C2H6(g) + Cl2 (g) -> C2H5Cl(g) + HCl(g)
and how do  you know?

anonymous · Answer

acidic compounds are capable of donating a hydrogen atom, C2H6 can do this (albeit it's not a good acid).

anonymous · Answer

are you sure? the answer in my book is that it's not an acid, i'm wondering why :)

anonymous · Answer

well under certain circumstances, it can be, but it's a really bad acid (almost never the acid in reactions) because hydrogens are happily bonded to the carbons, and carbons do not want to lose their stability.

anonymous · Answer

so what would u answer on a chemistry exam?

anonymous · Answer

no because, in acid/base reactions, the product formed in this case is HCl (pKa of negative 7). You would need to force this reaction because you started with a large pKa, the product is not favored.

anonymous · Answer

sorry, whats pKa?

anonymous · Answer

the measurement of how strong an acid is, lower the pKa the stronger the acid

anonymous · Answer

as in pH?

anonymous · Answer

no, it's different

anonymous · Answer

so if the reaction would need to be forced, why is it happening? what type of reaction is it?

anonymous · Answer

substitution reaction, the chlorine is substitution a hydrogen in the original compound. it's happening because energy is applied to the system

anonymous · Answer

thankyou!