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From TPR: At low pH, a mixture of pure acetaldehyde and ethylene glycol undergoes a reversible condensation reaction forming a cyclic acetal. Acetaldehyde and ethylene glycol were reacted in toluene and came to equilibrium. There's a figure showing that H20 is a product also. (it's part of a longer passage, but this is what you need for the question.
What is the equilibrium expression for the acetal reaction?
Their answer is [acetal]*[H20] / [acetaldehyde][ethylene glycol]
I thought that liquids aren't part of the equilibrium expression. How come it's included here? The answer explanation states Not: Water is not the solvent here, this is a toluene solution. So if water is not the solvent, hence it's not aqueous or gas, why include it?
What is the equilibrium expression for the acetal reaction?
Their answer is [acetal]*[H20] / [acetaldehyde][ethylene glycol]
I thought that liquids aren't part of the equilibrium expression. How come it's included here? The answer explanation states Not: Water is not the solvent here, this is a toluene solution. So if water is not the solvent, hence it's not aqueous or gas, why include it?
