Which is More Acidic: 4-Nitrophenol or 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol?

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In summary, 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol is more acidic than 4-nitrophenol due to the presence of two electron withdrawing groups. Considering resonance, the para nitro group draws electrons away from the ring, making the phenolate anion more stable. The presence of only one fluorine atom does not interfere with the acidity of the compound.
  • #1
chunkytuna21
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Which is more acidic, 4-nitrophenol or 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol?

I think it would be 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol because acidity is increased by the presence of electron withdrawing groups. 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol has two electron withdrawing groups as opposed to only one for 4-nitrophenol. Is that correct? Should I also consider resonance when answering this question?
 
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  • #2
Sounds good to me. I would say that yes, you probably should consider resonance (the more resonance forms, the more stable the phenolate anion), just to show why the para nitro group draws electrons away from the ring. Also, since there's only one F, that shouldn't interfere with anything, it'll just inductively draw electron density from the ring.
 
  • #3


Your reasoning is correct. The presence of two electron withdrawing groups in 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol makes it more acidic than 4-nitrophenol, which only has one electron withdrawing group. Additionally, resonance can also play a role in determining acidity. In this case, the fluorine atom in 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol can stabilize the negative charge on the phenoxide ion through resonance, making it more stable and therefore more acidic. So, both electron withdrawing groups and resonance should be considered when determining acidity.
 

1. What is the difference between 4-Nitrophenol and 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol?

The main difference between these two compounds is the location of the fluorine atom. In 4-Nitrophenol, the nitro group is attached to the 4th carbon on the benzene ring, while in 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol, the fluorine atom is attached to the 2nd carbon. This difference in structure can affect the acidity of the compounds.

2. Which compound is more acidic, 4-Nitrophenol or 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol?

In general, the more electronegative atoms in a compound, the more acidic it is. Fluorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, so 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol is expected to be more acidic than 4-Nitrophenol. However, other factors such as resonance and inductive effects can also influence the acidity of a compound.

3. What is the pKa value of 4-Nitrophenol and 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol?

The pKa value is a measure of the acidity of a compound. The lower the pKa value, the stronger the acid. The pKa value of 4-Nitrophenol is approximately 7.2, while the pKa value of 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol is approximately 6.5. This means that 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol is a stronger acid than 4-Nitrophenol.

4. How do the structures of 4-Nitrophenol and 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol affect their acidity?

The acidic nature of a compound is affected by its structure. In 2-Fluoro-4-Nitrophenol, the fluorine atom pulls electron density away from the hydrogen atom, making it easier for the hydrogen to dissociate and form a hydronium ion. This leads to a lower pKa value and a stronger acid compared to 4-Nitrophenol.

5. Are there any other factors that can influence the acidity of these compounds?

Yes, there are other factors that can affect the acidity of these compounds, such as resonance and inductive effects. These effects can either stabilize or destabilize the conjugate base of the compound, making it more or less acidic. Additionally, the solvent and temperature can also influence the acidity of a compound.

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