CHAPTER 15

1. Acid-Base Concepts

2. Acid and Base Strengths

3. Molecular Structure and Acid

Strength

4. Autoionization of Water and pH

5. Solutions of a Weak Acid or Base

6. Acid/Base Properties of Salts

Learning Outcomes
Chapter 15 Outcomes
I (can)…
 Describe and explain the chemical behavior of acids and
bases in aqueous solutions.

 Understand how equilibrium concepts apply to chemical

systems (acids, bases, slightly-soluble salts, and complex ions).

 Correctly use mathematical models and methods to describe

thermodynamic relationships, electrochemical systems, and
equilibria of acid-base reactions, complex ions and slightly
soluble ionic compounds.
 Acid-Base Concepts
Be able to describe and explain the chemical
behavior of acids and bases in aqueous
solutions.
Learning Targets Success Criteria (Rate with a +, , or -)
Describe whether a  I can tell the difference between an Arrhenius acid/base and a
compound is an acid or a Brønsted-Lowry acid/base and identify a chemical species as one
base based on its reactivity. or the other (or both).
 I can identify conjugate acid-base pairs in a neutralization
reaction.
 I can identify if a compound is amphiprotic (amphoteric) or not.
Classifying Compounds
 Why is classification important?
 Chemical and physical interactions between chemical
species (atoms, molecules, compounds) depend on their
composition and structure.
 Certain compounds can be classified as acids or bases
(or both) based on their reactivity (chemical property).
 Structureand composition dictate reactivity
 Understanding reactivity gives us insight in structure and
composition!
Why are Acids / Bases Important?
pH Inside Single Cells

Industrial Applications

H2SO4

“Sulfur Mountain”

Byproduct of refining oil sands

Why are Acids / Bases Important?
Properties of Acids & Bases
Acids
• Taste sour (don't taste them in lab!).
• Their solutions conduct electricity.
• React with bases.
• Turn blue litmus paper to red
Bases
• Taste bitter (don't taste them in lab!).
• Their solutions conduct electricity
• React with acids.
• Turn red litmus paper to blue
• Feel slippery between the fingers.
A Simulation

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/acid-base-
solutions/latest/acid-base-solutions_en.html
Acid-Base Chemistry
 In a neutralization reaction, what are the chemical
properties of the reactants?

Both are acids.

Both are bases.
One is an acid and one is a base.
Both are ionic compounds.
None of the above.
Acid-Base Chemistry
 In a neutralization reaction, what are the chemical
properties of the products?

Both are acids.

Both are bases.
One is an acid and one is a base.
Both are ionic compounds.
None of the above.
Acid-Base Chemistry
 What is the net ionic equation for the following neutralization
reaction between a strong acid and a strong base?

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)

H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l)

H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l) + Cl−(aq)

H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → 2H+(aq) + O2−(aq) + Cl−(aq)

H+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + Na+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l) + Na+(aq) + Cl−(aq)

Hydronium Ion (H3 +
O )

In aqueous
solution, H3O+
and H+ are
synonymous

 We will try to use H3O+ as much as possible in this class, but

occasionally H+ will be more convenient.
 You should be able to write and interpret reactions using
both representations.
 Balance equations using both representations.

 [H+] = [H3O+]
 Arrhenius Definition
Svante Arrhenius
(1859 - 1927)

Swedish physical chemist. His thesis,

“Investigations on the galvanic conductivity of
electrolytes,” was given the lowest passing
grade by faculty at the Swedish Academy of
Sciences. In it he proposed that electrolytes
partially dissociate upon solvation.

He was ahead of his time in many respects.

Acids increase Among the subjects he studied were:
H3O+ when - the importance of CO2 on global climate
- the activated nature of chemical processes
dissolved in H2O(l) - the causes of the Northern Lights
- a theory of panspermia
Bases increase
OH− when He received the Nobel Prize in 1903
dissolved in H2O(l)
Strong Acids & Bases
 Strong acids and bases are completely
ionized in solution.
 Strong electrolytes.

 For monoprotic strong acids:

[H3O+] = [acid]

 For strong bases:

[OH−] = n[base]
You need to memorize
these common strong
acids and bases.
Weak Acids & Bases
 Most other acids and bases you are not completely ionized in
solution and exist in equilibrium with the corresponding ions.
 Weak electrolytes

Acetic Acid (HC2H3O2)

(primary component of vinegar)

Aqueous Ammonia (NH3)

A Simulation

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/acid-base-
solutions/latest/acid-base-solutions_en.html
 Brønsted-Lowry Definition
Danish physical chemist
whose work in solution
chemistry, particularly
electrolytes, resulted in a
new theory of acids and
bases. In WWII he
opposed the Nazis, and in
consequence he was
elected to the Danish
Brønsted Parliament in 1947, but Acids are proton Bases are proton
(1879 - 1947) died shortly after election.
donors acceptors

As a physical chemist Lowry  Acids & bases can be ions as well as

was largely concerned with
the optical activity of
molecular substances.
certain compounds. In  Acid-base reactions are not
1920 he was appointed as restricted to aqueous solution.
the first professor of
physical chemistry at  Some species can act as either acids
Lowry Cambridge University. or bases depending on the chemical
(1874 - 1936) system.
Amphiprotic Species

 An amphiprotic (amphoteric) species can act as either an acid

or a base depending on the situation.
H2O + HCN ⇌ H3O+ + CN−
Base

H2O + NH3 ⇌ NH4+ + OH−

Acid
Amphiprotic Species
 An amphiprotic (amphoteric) species can act as either an acid
or a base depending on the situation.

 Polyprotic acids (acids with more than one acidic proton) have
at least one amphiprotic species in the series.
Acid → Acid →
H2SO4 ⇌ HSO4− ⇌ SO42−
← Base ← Base

Acid → Acid → Acid →

H3PO4 ⇌ H2PO4− ⇌ HPO42− ⇌ PO43−
← Base ← Base ← Base
Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
 Consider the following reaction:

 According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition…

 which of the reactants is the acid?
 which of the reactants is the base?
Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
 Now consider the reverse reaction:

 According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition…

 does one of the reactants fit the definition of an acid?
 does one of the reactants fit the definition of an base?

Remember: The reactants in this problem

were the products in the previous one…
Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
 A conjugate acid-base pair are two species in an acid-base
reaction, one an acid the other a base, that differ by the loss
or gain of a proton.

Acid Base Base Acid

Conjugate Pair

Conjugate Pair
 Acid and Base Strengths
Be able to describe and explain the chemical
behavior of acids and bases in aqueous
solutions.
Learning Targets Success Criteria (Rate with a +, , or -)
Describe the relative  Given information about the percent ionization of two different
strengths of acids and bases acidic/basic species, I can rank the relative strengths of the two
symbolically and as small acids or bases.
 I can predict the relative strength of an acid or base based on
particle representations.
the strength of its conjugate pair.
 I can draw an appropriate small particle representation of a
strong acid/base or a weak acid/base in aqueous solution.
What Does It Mean to Be “Strong”?
 Imagine an arm wrestling competition with…

vs. vs.
Me
Scrawny Guy (sorta less scrawny) Marshawn Lynch

vs.

Marshawn Lynch Dave Bautista

???
Relative Strength of Acids & Bases
 The idea of “stronger” vs
“weaker” is a relative
comparison.

 Stronger acids lose /

donate their protons more
easily than weaker acids.

 A “strong” acid is an acid

that is stronger than H3O+
Conjugate Acids and Bases
 Conjugate acids of stronger bases These acids are equally
hold on to their protons more strongly strong in water

than other bases.

 They are weak acids.

 The strength of a conjugate acid-

base pair is complementary.
 The relative strength of the acid/base
is the opposite of its acid/base pair.

Conjugate bases of strong acids

have negligible base strength.
Extent of an Acid-Base Reaction

HCl(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + Cl−(aq)

 How can we predict which direction will be

favored in a given acid/base reaction?

 In any acid-base reaction, the equilibrium

will favor the reaction that transfers the
proton to the stronger base.
 Equilibrium shifts towards the side with the
weaker base.
 Equilibrium shifts away from the side with
the stronger acid.
Extent of an Acid-Base Reaction

HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2−(aq)

 Acetate is a stronger base than H2O.

 H3O+ is the stronger acid.
 the equilibrium favors the left side
(Kc<1).
 Molecular Structure and Acid Strength
Be able to describe and explain the chemical
behavior of acids and bases in aqueous
solutions.
Learning Targets Success Criteria (Rate with a +, , or -)
Explain the strength of an  I can predict the relative strength of an acid based on period
acid or a base based on its trends (either across a row or down a column) and explain the
structure. trend in terms of the strength or polarity of the H-X bond.
 I can predict and explain the relative acid strength of a
H-O-Y- series of oxoacids based on their central atom (Y).
 I can predict and explain the relative acid strength of a
(HO)mYOn series of oxoacids with the same central atom (Y).
 I can predict and explain the relative acid strength of a
polyprotic acid and its anions.
Molecular Structure and Acid Strength

 The easier it is to remove a proton, the greater the acid

strength.
 You might also think of it as the easier it is for the proton to
“leave,” the greater the acid strength.

 Two structural factors are important in determining the relative

acid strengths.
 Polarity of the H-X bond
 Strength of the H-X bond
Bond Polarity and Acid Strength

δ+ δ−
H–X
 The more polarized the bond (i.e. the more unequal the sharing
of the electrons is), the easier it is to remove the proton (H+)
and the greater the acid strength.

 In a polar bond, the “X” atom already has most of the

electrons, so it is easier for the proton to give up it’s remaining
“share” and leave as H+.
Periodic Trends in Acid Strength

 As you go across the

periodic table (left
to right), how do you
predict the acid
strength will change?

stronger
weaker
can’t predict
NH3 → H2O → HF
Periodic Trends in Acid Strength
 As you go across a period of elements,
the polarity of the H-X bond is the
dominant factor.
 Other factors are also there, but this
one is the most important.

 As the electronegativity of “X”

increases, the polarity of the H-X bond
increases, leading to an increase in the
acid strength.
Relative acid strength
 H+
It becomes easier for the to leave
because of the unequal sharing of
electrons. NH3 < H2O < HF
Bond Strength and Acid Strength
 The weaker the H-X bond, the
easier it is to remove a proton,
and the greater the acid strength.

 This depends on the atomic radius

the “X” atom.
 The larger the “X”, the weaker the
bond.

 Atomic radius is the dominant

factor when you go down a group
Relative acid strength
of elements
HF < HCl < HBr < HI
 This is when the radius of “X”
markedly increases.
Factors Affecting Acid Strength (Summary)

 The more polar the H-X bond

and/or the weaker the H-X bond,
the more acidic the compound.

 Going across a period, bond

polarity dominates.
 As the electronegativity of “X” increases, the bond polarity increases and acid
strength increases.

 Going down a group, bond strength dominates.

 As the atomic radius of “X” increases, the bond strength gets weaker and acid
strength increases.
Oxoacid Strength
 An oxoacid has the structure:

H–O−Y−
 The acidic H atom is always attached to an O atom, which in
turn is attached to another Y atom.
 The “Y” atom of an oxoacid is usually referred to as the central
atom.

 The O-H bond polarization is the dominant factor in the

relative strength of oxoacids.
Oxoacid Strength
 How would you rank the following oxoacids in terms of relative
acid strength? Justify your answer.

Which oxoacid is the strongest? Which oxoacid is the weakest?

HClO HClO
HBrO HBrO
HIO HIO
Oxoacid Strength
 When comparing similar oxoacids with different “Y” atoms:
 The acidity of the OH group increases with the electronegativity
of the central atom (Y).

Relative acid strength

HIO < HBrO < HClO

Oxoacid Strength
 How would you rank the following oxoacids in terms of relative
acid strength? Justify your answer.

Which oxoacid is the strongest?

HClO
HClO2
HClO3
HClO4
Oxoacid Strength

(HO)mYOn
 For a series of oxoacids (same central atom):
 The acidity of the OH group increases with n, the number of
oxygens bonded to the central atom, excluding the one(s) in the
OH group(s).

HClO < HClO2 < HClO3 < HClO4

Polyprotic Acids and Strength
 The strength of a polyprotic acid and its anions decreases with
increasing negative charge.

Relative acid strength

H2SO4 > HSO4−

H3PO4 > H2PO4− > HPO42−

 Autoionization of Water and pH
Learning Targets Success Criteria (Rate with a +, , or -)
Describe the important ions  I can define the auto-ionization (self-ionization) of pure water
and the ion product constant for water (Kw).
found in an acidic, neutral, or
basic aqueous solution and  I can calculate the [H3O+] and [OH−] in aqueous solutions
involving a strong acid or strong base.
their relationships to each
 I can describe why we can ignore the auto-ionization of water
other. in aqueous solutions involving a strong acid or strong base.
Describe the pH and pOH of  I can define the pH of a solution and represent it
an aqueous solution and how mathematically.
they relate to [H3O+] and  I can describe the relationship between pH and pOH.
−  Given the [H3O+] or [OH−] I can calculate the pH and pOH of
[OH ].
an aqueous solution.
 Given the pH or pOH of an aqueous solution I can calculate the
[H3O+] and [OH−].
 I can describe how to find the pH of a solution using and
indicator or pH meter.
Autoionization of Water
 Water can act as both an acid and a base. So…

H2O(l) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)

Acid Base Acid Base

 When two like molecules react to form ions this is referred to

as autoionization.
 Also called self-ionization.

 Since this specific process involves transfer of a proton, it is

also referred to as the autoprotolysis of water.
 Ion Product Constant for Water (Kw)

H2O + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + OH− H2O ⇌ H+ + OH−

OR
Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10-14 Kw = [H+][OH−] = 1.0×10-14

Like all equilibrium constants, Kw is temperature dependent!

pH
 The pH of a solution is defined as the pH = −log[H+]
negative logarithm of the molar
hydrogen-ion concentration pH = −log[H3O+]

 The pOH of a solution is defined as the

negative logarithm of the molar pOH = −log[OH−]
hydroxide-ion concentration

In water at 25 °C: pH + pOH = 14.00 2 s.f.

Sig-fig rules for logarithms and anitlogs:

The number of places after the decimal determines the sig-figs
Practice Problem
 A sample of orange juice has a hydrogen-ion concentration of
2.9 × 10-4 M.

 What is the pH?

pH
Definition of Acidic and Basic
 In an acidic solution:

[H3O+] > 1.0 × 10-7 M

 In a neutral solution:

[H3O+] = 1.0 × 10-7 M

 In a basic solution:

[H3O+] < 1.0 × 10-7 M

Solutions of Strong Acid or Base
 Strong acids and bases completely ionize in solution

HCl(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl−(aq)

 How will adding this acid affect the autoionization of water?

H2O(l) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)

 If we have 0.100 M HCl, how do we determine the final [H3O+]?

 As long as the acid is sufficiently concentrated, we can ignore the small
amount of [H3O+] generated from the autoionization of water.
Practice Problems
 What is the [H3O+] of 0.100 M HCl?
 [H3O+] = 0.100 M

 What is the [H3O+] of 0.100 M HCl?

 pH = 1.000

 What is the pH of 1 M HCl?

 pH = 0.0

 What is the pH of concentrated HCl (12 M)?

 pH = −1.08
Acid-Base Equilibrium
H2O(l) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)
Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10-14

 The equilibrium expression between [H3O+] and [OH−] still must

be true.
 That means there is still [OH−] in an acidic solution.

 What is the [OH−] of 0.010 M HCl?

 What is the pH?
 What is the pOH?
Practice Problem
 At pseudoephedrine sulfate is the Illicit Meth Labs
active ingredient in many over-
the-counter decongestants.

 When dissolved in water it

creates a basic solution with a
hydroxide ion concentration of
1.9 × 10-5 M.

 What is the pH of the solution?

How Do We Measure pH?
 pH Meter
How Do We Measure pH?
 Indicators
How Do We Measure pH?
 Indicators
HIn(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + In−(aq)

HIn(aq) + OH−(aq) ⇌ H2O(l) + In−(aq)

phenolpthalein phenolpthalein
pH < 9.3 pH > 9.3
Solutions of a Weak Acid or Base
Correctly use mathematical models and methods to
describe thermodynamic relationships, electrochemical
systems, and equilibria of acid-base reactions, complex
ions and slightly soluble ionic compounds.
 Weak Acids
 How do we describe a weak acid?
 Any acid weaker than H3O+

 Does not completely ionize in solution

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ A−(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Where HA is the acid and
A− is its conjugate base

 Any acid that is not on your strong acid list

(the one you have memorized by this point)
you should assume is a weak acid.
Degree of Ionization (α)
 Weak acids and bases do not
completely ionize in solution.

 The degree of ionization (α) of

a weak acid or base is the
fraction of molecules that react
with water to give ions.

amount ionized
α= × 100%
initial amount
Acid-Ionization Equlibiria
 Write the reaction that occurs when acetic acid, CH3COOH, is
added to water. Label all species as acids or bases.

 Write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction.

 If you had a 0.10 M solution of

hydrobromic acid and a 0.10 M 0.10 M HBr
solution of acetic acid, which one 0.10 M CH3COOH
would have the larger [H3O+]? Same [H3O+]
I need more info
 Which of those solutions will have the
larger pH?
Acid-Ionization Equilibria

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ A−(aq) + H3O+(aq)

 What is the equilibrium expression for this reaction?

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑨−
𝑲𝒂 =
𝑯𝑨

 Equilibrium constant for a weak acid is called the acid-

ionization constant, Ka.
Acid-Ionization Constants (Ka)
HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ A−(aq) + H3O+(aq)
 The larger the value of Ka, the stronger the acid.

 We can also express these values as a pKa.

pKa = −log[Ka]
 Remember how to interpret these!
Concentrations of Weak Acids
 How do we express the concentration of a weak acid?
 What does 0.10 M HC2H3O2 mean?

 For this class:

 The concentration given for a weak acid usually refers to how the
solution was prepared.
 If a problem simply states “you have a 0.10 M HA solution” it means
that 0.10 mol of HA for every 1.0 L of solution.
 When performing equilibrium calculations, any values for [HA] need to
be in terms of the actual species concentration at equilibrium.
 Sometimes we may be able to make assumptions about this [HA].
 If a problem states “at equilibrium, [HA] is measured at…” then this
represents an actual species concentration already at equilibrium.
Practice Problem
 You have prepared dilute solutions of equal molar
concentrations of HC2H3O2 (pKa = 4.77), HNO2 (pKa = 3.35),
HF (pKa = 3.17), and HCN (pKa = 9.31)?

 Rank the solutions from highest to lowest pH (highest first).

HF, HNO2, HC2H3O2, HCN

HCN, HC2H3O2, HF, HNO2

HCN, HC2H3O2, HNO2, HF

HNO2, HF, HC2H3O2, HCN

Practice Problem
 Lactic acid, CH3CH(OH)CO2H, found in sour
milk, is produced by the action of lactobacilli on lactose (milk
sugar).

 A 0.025 M solution of lactic acid has a pH of 2.75.

 What is the acid-ionization constant, Ka, and the pKa for this
acid?
 What is the degree of ionization (α) of lactic acid at this
concentration?

“Milk was a bad choice”

Practice Problem
HNic(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + Nic−(aq)
 If you make a 0.10 M solution of nicotinic acid (HNic), what is
[HNic], [Nic−], and [H3O+] at equilibrium? What is the pH?

The Ka for HNic at 25 °C is 1.4 × 10-5.

Making Assumptions
 When are we allowed to assume that “x” is small enough that
we can ignore it?

𝑯𝑨 𝒊 Where #s.f. is the sig-

≥ 𝟏𝟎(#𝒔.𝒇.) figs in your [HA]i
𝑲𝒂

 If you only have 2 s.f. then using 100 is fine.

 This is what is in the textbook and Sapling.
 If you have 3 s.f. then the cutoff should be 1,000.
 If you have 4 s.f. then the cutoff should be 10,000.
Practice Problem
HAcs(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + Acs−(aq)
 What is the pH at 25 °C for a solution of 0.325 g of aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid, HAcs) in 0.500 L of water?

The Ka for HAcs at 25 °C is 3.3 × 10-4. The Mm of HAcs is

180.2 g/mol.
Base-Ionization Equlibiria
 Write the reaction that occurs when methyl amine, CH3NH2, is
added to water. Label all species as acids or bases.

 Write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction.

 If you had a 0.10 M solution of

potassium hydroxide and a 0.10 M 0.10 M KOH
solution of methyl amine, which one 0.10 M CH3NH2
would have the larger [OH−]? Same [OH−]
I need more info
 Which of those solutions will have the
larger pH?
Base-Ionization Equilibria

B(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HB+(aq) + OH−(aq)

 What is the equilibrium expression for this reaction?

𝑯𝑩+ 𝑶𝑯−
𝑲𝒃 =
𝑩

 Equilibrium constant for a weak acid is called the base-

ionization constant, Kb.
Practice Problem
Mor(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HMor+(aq) + OH−(aq)
 Morphine (Mor) is a weak base used to control pain. Write the
equation for this reaction.

 What is the pH of a 0.0075 M solution of morphine at 25 °C?

The Kb at 25 °C is 1.6 × 10-6.

 Is this problem fundamentally different

than solving for a weak acid?
 Polyprotic Acids
 Polyprotic acids have more than one acidic proton.

 For a diprotic acid, H2A:

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑯𝑨−
H2A(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HA−(aq) + H3O+(aq) 𝑲𝒂𝟏 =
𝑯𝟐 𝑨

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑨𝟐−
HA−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ A2−(aq) + H3 O+(aq) 𝑲𝒂𝟐 =
𝑯𝑨−
 Polyprotic Acids
 Polyprotic acids have more than one acidic proton.

 For a triprotic acid, H3A:

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑯𝟐 𝑨−
H3A(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H2A−(aq) + H3O+(aq) 𝑲𝒂𝟏 =
𝑯𝟑 𝑨

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑯𝑨𝟐−
H2 A−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HA2−(aq) + H3 O+(aq) 𝑲𝒂𝟐 =
𝑯𝟐 𝑨−

𝑯𝟑 𝑶+ 𝑨𝟑−
HA2−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ A3−(aq) + H3 O+(aq) 𝑲𝒂𝟑 =
𝑯𝑨𝟐−
Polyprotic Acids
 Comparing Ka values in a polyprotic acid.

Ka1 > Ka2 > Ka3 (if applicable)

 The difference between Ka1 and any subsequent Ka values is

typically 102 or more.
Practice Problem

H2Asc(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HAsc−(aq) + H3O+(aq)

HAsc−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ Asc2−(aq) + H3O+(aq)

 Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a diprotic acid,

H2C6H6O6. What is the pH of a 0.10 M
solution of ascorbic acid (H2Asc)? What is
the concentration of ascorbate ion,
C6H6O62−?

Ka1 = 7.9 × 10-5 and Ka2 = 1.6 × 10-12.

Polyprotic Acids
 In general, as long as Ka1 >> Ka2 (factor of 100 or greater),
when you dissolve a polyprotic acid in solution…

pH is determined by Ka1

 For diprotic acids (H2A):

[A2−] is equal to Ka2

 Acid/Base Properties of Salts
Understand how equilibrium concepts apply to chemical
systems (acids, bases, slightly-soluble salts, and complex
ions).
Learning Targets Success Criteria (Rate with a +, , or -)
Describe the acid/base  I can describe the general acid/base properties of cations and
properties of salt solutions. anions.
 I can recognize when an ion will be such weak acid or base
that it won’t affect the pH of the solution.
 I can predict whether a particular salt solution will be acidic or
basic.
Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions

 What happens if we dissolve a salt in solution? Consider

NaCN.

 First examine the cation:

Na++(aq) + H22O(l) ←
⇌ NaOH(aq) + H33O++(aq)
Na+(aq) + H2O(l) → No Reaction
 Next, examine the anion:

CN−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HCN(aq) + OH−(aq)

Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions
 The hydrolysis of water refers to the reaction of an ion with water to
produce the conjugate acid and hydroxide ion or the conjugate base and
hydronium ion.

 For cations:
 Cations with acidic protons (like NH4+) react with water to form
hydronium.

NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) → NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)

 Most metal cations (except those of strong bases) are acidic.

M+(aq) + xH2O(l) → M(H2O)x+(aq)

[M(H2O)x]+(aq) → [M(H2O)x-1(OH)]+(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions
 The hydrolysis of water refers to the reaction of an ion with water to
produce the conjugate acid and hydroxide ion or the conjugate base and
hydronium ion.

 For anions:
 Anions are bases.

X−(aq) + H2O(l) → HX(aq) + OH−(aq)

 The weaker the conjugate acid (HX) the more basic the solution.
 If the conjugate acid (HX) is strong, then a solution of the anion is
essentially not basic at all.
 These rules don’t apply to anions that still have acidic protons (i.e. anions of
polyprotic acids).
 Examples: HCO3−, H2PO4−, HPO42−
Practice Problems
 Predict the acidity or basicity of a solution containing:
 KC2H3O2
 NaF

 NH4Br
Acidic
 LiCl
How do we figure Basic
 NH4C3H5O2
this one out? Neutral
I can’t tell
Deciding if a Salt is Acidic, Basic, or Neutral

Salt Combination Examples Chemistry pH

Cation: Conjugate of strong base Na+ + H2O ⇌ N.R.

NaCl Neutral
CaBr2 =7
Anion: Conjugate of strong acid Cl− + H2O ⇌ N.R.

Cation: Conjugate of strong base Na+ + H2O ⇌ N.R.

NaCN Basic
KF >7
Anion: Conjugate of weak acid CN− + H2O ⇌ HCN + OH−

Cation: Conjugate of weak base NH4+ + H2O ⇌ NH3 + H3O+

NH4Br Acidic
CH3NH3Cl <7
Anion: Conjugate of strong acid Br− + H2O ⇌ N.R.

Cation: Conjugate of weak base NH4+ + H2O ⇌ NH3 + H3O+ Depends

NH4NO2
Ka > Kb = acidic
NH4CN
Anion: Conjugate of weak acid NO2− + H2O ⇌ HNO2 + OH− Kb > Ka = basic
Relationship Between Ka and Kb
 Let’s go back to NH4C3H5O2

NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka = 5.6 × 10-10

C3H5O2−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HC3H5O2(aq) + OH−(aq) Kb = ???

Here is Ka…
Relationship Between Ka and Kb
 Remember how to calculate Kc for a sum of reactions…

HC3H5O2(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ C3H5O2−(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka

C3H5O2−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HC3H5O2(aq) + OH−(aq) Kb

2H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+ + OH−(aq) KaKb

Does this reaction look familiar?!!

KaKb = Kw = 1.0 × 10-14

Relationship Between Ka and Kb
 Let’s go back to NH4C3H5O2

NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka = 5.6 × 10-10

Ka = 1.3 × 10-5
C3H5O2−(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ HC3H5O2(aq) + OH−(aq)
Kb = 7.7 × 10-10

Acidic
 Solution will be basic (slightly).
Basic
Neutral
I can’t tell