Question

classify these solvents as either protic or aprotic solvents.
protic
aprotic
answer bank
acetone
h₂o
dmf
ch₃oh
dmso
ch₃ch₂oh
acetonitrile
acetic acid

Explanation:

• Protic solvents have \( -OH \) or \( -NH \) groups that can donate protons (\( H^+ \)). \( H_2O \) (\( H - O - H \)), \( CH_3OH \) (\( CH_3 - O - H \)), \( CH_3CH_2OH \) (\( CH_3CH_2 - O - H \)), and acetic acid (\( CH_3 - COOH \), has \( -COOH \) group with an \( -OH \) like part in the carboxyl group) are protic as they can donate \( H^+ \) from their \( -OH \) related groups.
• Aprotic solvents do not have easily - donated protons from \( -OH \) or \( -NH \) groups. Acetone (\( CH_3 - CO - CH_3 \)), DMF (\( HCON(CH_3)_2 \)), DMSO (\( (CH_3)_2 - S = O \)), and acetonitrile (\( CH_3 - C\equiv N \)) do not have such \( -OH \) or \( -NH \) groups for easy proton donation.

Answer:

• Protic: \( H_2O \), \( CH_3OH \), \( CH_3CH_2OH \), acetic acid
• Aprotic: acetone, DMF, DMSO, acetonitrile