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2. Below in "bold" is a written description of a single mechanistic step of a r...

Sep 25, 2024

Solution

Identify the reactants and products: The reaction involves trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and methoxide anion (CH₃O⁻). The products are methanol (CH₃OH) and trifluoroacetate (CF₃COO⁻)

Write the chemical equation: The deprotonation can be represented as:

\text{CF}_3\text{COOH} + \text{CH}_3\text{O}^- \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{OH} + \text{CF}_3\text{COO}^-

Draw the mechanism: The curved arrow should start from the methoxide anion (CH₃O⁻) and point towards the hydrogen atom of trifluoroacetic acid (CF₃COOH) that is being removed, indicating the transfer of a proton

Answer

The methoxide anion deprotonates trifluoroacetic acid to yield methanol and trifluoroacetate.

Key Concept

Deprotonation reaction mechanism involving a strong base and a weak acid

Explanation

The methoxide anion acts as a strong base, effectively removing a proton from trifluoroacetic acid, resulting in the formation of methanol and trifluoroacetate.