Question

multiple choice point which base is strong enough to deprotonate phenols but not required for carboxylic acids? sodium bicarbonate sodium hydroxide sodium carbonate ammonia

Explanation:

Step1: Recall acid - base properties

Carboxylic acids are more acidic than phenols.

Step2: Analyze each base

Sodium bicarbonate can deprotonate carboxylic acids but not phenols. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and can deprotonate both carboxylic acids and phenols. Ammonia is a weak base and usually not strong enough to deprotonate phenols effectively. Sodium carbonate is strong enough to deprotonate phenols (due to its basic nature from the carbonate ion hydrolysis) but is not as strong as sodium hydroxide and is not the most common base required for carboxylic - acid deprotonation (weaker bases like sodium bicarbonate can do that), so it meets the criteria.

Answer:

C. Sodium carbonate