No Idea how to do this!!!!

A white crystalline compound, soluble in water, was found to react with both dilute hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution. Which of the following might it have been?

A) Aminobenzene
B) Aminoethanoic acid
C) Ethylamine
D) Ethylammonium chloride

Please help me and explain if that's ok :smile:

Reply 1

username986184

If it reacts with hydrochloric acid then it must have a basic functional group. If it reacts with sodium hydroxide then it must have an acidic functional group. If it reacts with both it must contain both. Only possible answer is B, aminoethanoic acid, commonly known as the amino acid called glycine.

Reply 2

thymolphthalein

Aminoethanoic acid.

Amino acids show amphoteric character due to the -COOH group (acidic) and the -NH2 group (basic), so it can react with both acids and bases.

Reply 3

flyingpanda786

Original post by thymolphthalein

Aminoethanoic acid.

Amino acids show amphoteric character due to the -COOH group (acidic) and the -NH2 group (basic), so it can react with both acids and bases.