question_answer

Why \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}COH\] is less acidic than \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}SiOH\] although carbon is more electronegative than Si?

Answer:

                Carbon does not have d-orbitals and hence does not form d\[\pi \]-p\[\pi \] bonds. In contrast, silicon has empty d-orbitals and hence it forms d\[\pi \] -p\[\pi \] bonds with oxygen. As a result, transference of electrons occurs from\[O\] to Si. In other words, electron-density around O decreases. It, therefore, withdraws electrons of the \[O-H\] bond towards it. Consequently, \[O-H\] bond in \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}SiOH\] breaks more easily than in \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}COH\] and hence \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}SiOH\] is more acidic than\[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}COH.\]