Here's a breakdown of the reaction:
Reactants:
* β-naphthol: A weakly acidic aromatic compound with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon atom of the naphthalene ring.
* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): A strong base.
Reaction:
The hydroxide ion (OH-) from sodium hydroxide acts as a base, deprotonating the hydroxyl group of β-naphthol. This results in the formation of the β-naphtholate anion and water.
Product:
* Sodium β-naphtholate: This is the salt formed by the reaction. The sodium cation (Na+) from sodium hydroxide combines with the β-naphtholate anion.
Chemical Equation:
```
C10H7OH + NaOH → C10H7ONa + H2O
```
Explanation:
* The hydroxyl group (-OH) in β-naphthol is slightly acidic due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the aromatic ring.
* The hydroxide ion (OH-) from NaOH is a strong base and readily removes the proton (H+) from the hydroxyl group of β-naphthol.
* The resulting β-naphtholate anion is resonance stabilized, making the reaction favorable.
Important Note:
The reaction is reversible. Adding an acid to the solution will protonate the β-naphtholate anion, regenerating β-naphthol.
Applications:
The reaction between β-naphthol and sodium hydroxide has various applications, including:
* Dye synthesis: β-naphtholate is an important intermediate in the synthesis of many azo dyes.
* Antioxidant: β-naphthol and its derivatives are used as antioxidants in various materials.
* Pharmaceuticals: Some β-naphthol derivatives have medicinal properties and are used in pharmaceuticals.
