Zwitterion: 4-Chloroaniline + Benzoic Acid - Soluble/Insoluble?

[jack12345]

Hi, what would be the structure of the zwitterion if 4-chloroaniline and benzoic acid reacted together. And would it be soluble or insoluble in water?

 

[Borek]

Zwitterion? Unless I am missing something, you should get just a salt.

 

[jack12345]

Hi Borek,

But they could also react together to form a zwitter ionic product, couldn't they? In the same way the amino acids can form zwitter ions?

 

[Borek]

No, zwitterion needs to have both + and - charges on the same molecule. That's the case with amino acid, but that's not the case here.

 

[DeeNos]

The structure of the zwitterion formed from the reaction between 4-chloroaniline and benzoic acid would depend on the specific conditions of the reaction, such as the pH and temperature. However, it is likely that the zwitterion would consist of a positively charged 4-chloroanilinium group and a negatively charged benzoate group, connected by a covalent bond.

As for its solubility, it is difficult to determine without knowing the specific conditions and concentrations of the reaction. However, generally speaking, zwitterions have both polar and nonpolar regions, making them more likely to be soluble in polar solvents such as water. Therefore, it is possible that the zwitterion formed from 4-chloroaniline and benzoic acid would be soluble in water.