What is the primary use of a pH meter in organic chemistry?

The primary use of a pH meter in organic chemistry is to accurately measure the pH of solutions. A pH meter provides quantitative data on the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, which is crucial when working with organic compounds that may behave differently depending on the pH level. Many reactions in organic chemistry are sensitive to pH, as it can affect the solubility and reactivity of compounds, especially acids and bases. Accurate pH readings can help in controlling reactions, optimizing conditions, and conducting titrations, which are vital for analyzing the composition of organic mixtures.

In contrast, measuring temperature changes, detecting functional groups, and determining boiling points involve different methodologies and instruments that are not directly related to what a pH meter is designed to do. Temperature changes are typically monitored with thermometers, functional groups are identified through techniques like spectroscopy, and boiling points are determined through distillation or boiling point apparatus. This differentiation highlights the specific role of a pH meter in providing essential information about the acidity of solutions in organic chemistry.