Question

Find the acidic and basic radicals of $C{H}_{3}COONa$.
(A) $C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{+}, {Na}^{-}$
(B) $C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{-}, {Na}^{+}$
(C) ${Na}^{+}, C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{-}$
(D) ${Na}^{-}, C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{+}$

Answer 1

Hint: A radical is a molecule or an atom that has at least one unpaired electron; it is a valence shell. These radicals are highly chemically reactive in nature, but of course with some exceptions.

Complete answer:
Most of the molecules have even number electrons, the covalent bonds that hold the atoms together in a molecule generally consist of a pair of electrons that are shared jointly by the atoms linked by the bond.
* The radicals can be neutral, positively charged, or negatively charged.
* The radicals that are positively charged are known as basic radicals. For example ${Na}^{+}$, ${H}^{+}$, ${Ca}^{2+}$, ${Al}^{3+}$, etc.
* The radicals that are negatively charged are known as acidic radicals. For example ${Cl}^{-}$, ${OH}^{-}$, ${O}^{2-}$, ${C}^{4-}$, etc.
* Acidic radicals or ions are formed by the removal of hydrogen ion (${H}^{+}$) or any basic radical.
* Basic radicals or ions are formed by the removal of hydroxide ion (${OH}^{-}$) or any acidic radical.
* Now, let us look at the question given to us, $C{H}_{3}COONa$.
The compound will dissociate to give out radicals.

$C{ H }_{ 3 }COONa \longrightarrow C{ H }_{ 3 }CO{ O }^{ - } + { Na }^{ + }$

* The $C{ H }_{ 3 }COONa$ when dissociates give out $C{ H }_{ 3 }CO{ O }^{ - }$ as the acidic radical and ${Na}^{+}$ as the basic radical.
Therefore, the acidic and basic radicals are respectively $C{ H }_{ 3 }CO{ O }^{ - }$ and ${Na}^{+}$.
Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Note: The acidic radicals react and combine only with basic radicals to form a compound and basic radicals react and combine only with acidic radicals to form a compound. They strive to form their most stabilized state due to which they react with the opposites.
The free radicals and acidic and basic ions are two different things. Do make sure you don't get confused between the two.