12. draw the mechanism of the reaction between benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide using curved arrows. (2…

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the acid - base nature

Benzoic acid ($C_6H_5COOH$) is an acid and sodium hydroxide ($NaOH$) is a base. The hydroxide ion ($OH^-$) from $NaOH$ will act as a nucleophile.

Step2: First step of the reaction

The lone - pair of electrons on the oxygen of the hydroxide ion ($OH^-$) attacks the hydrogen of the carboxyl group ($-COOH$) in benzoic acid. The curved arrow starts from the lone - pair on the oxygen of $OH^-$ and points towards the hydrogen of $-COOH$. At the same time, the bond between the hydrogen and the oxygen of the carboxyl group breaks, and the electrons move towards the oxygen of the carboxyl group.

Step3: Formation of products

This results in the formation of water ($H_2O$) and the benzoate ion ($C_6H_5COO^-$). The benzoate ion can then combine with the sodium ion ($Na^+$) to form sodium benzoate ($C_6H_5COONa$).

Answer:

The mechanism involves the attack of the hydroxide ion on the acidic hydrogen of benzoic acid with the appropriate movement of electrons shown by curved arrows as described above. A detailed drawing would show the initial structures of benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide, the movement of electrons with curved arrows during the reaction, and the final products (sodium benzoate and water).