Acids and bases

Arrhenius Acids and Bases

Acids produce H+ in aqueous solutions
water
HCl H+(aq) + Cl- (aq)
Bases produce OH- in aqueous solutions
NaOH water Na+(aq) + OH- (aq)

Bronsted-Lowry Acids and bases

Acids are hydrogen ion (H+) donors
Bases are hydrogen ion (H+) acceptors
HCl + H2O H3O+ + Cl-
donor acceptor
NaOH Na+(aq) + OH- (aq)
PROPERTIES OF ACIDS & BASES
Acids
 Produce hydrogen ions (H+) in H2O
 Taste sour
 Turn blue litmus (vegetable dye) Þ red
 Act as electrolytes in solution
 Neutralise solutions containing hydroxide ions (OH -)
 Destroy body tissue
Bases
 Produce or cause an increase in hydroxide ions (OH-) in H2O

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  Taste bitter, chalky
 Turn red litmus Þ blue
 Act as electrolytes in solution
 Neutralise solutions containing hydrogen ions (H +)
 Have a slippery, ‘soapy’ feel
 Destroy body tissue/ dissolve fatty (lipid) material

THE pH SCALE
 Ion Product of Water
Pure H2O at 25°C
Some molecules ionise
H2O Û H+ + OH-
[H+ ] = 1 x 10-7 M = [OH- ]
\ Ion Product of H2O:
[H+ ] x [OH- ] = [1 x 10-7 ] x [1 x 10-7 ]
* Add exponents
= 1 x 10-14

• Acidic solution
[H+ ] > [OH- ]

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 • Neutral solution
[H+ ] = [OH- ]
• Basic solution
[H+ ] < [OH- ]
 Using the pH scale
p º potential or Power
H º Hydrogen
• pH describes [H+ ] & [OH- ]
 Indicates if a fluid is :
0 Acidic
7 Neutral
14 Basic
On the pH scale, values below 7 are acidic, a value of 7 is neutral, and
values above 7 are basic.

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STRENGTHS OF ACIDS
 Strong Acids (very few)
Eg . HCl Hydrochloric Acid ~ Stomach acid
 HNO3 Nitric Acid ~ May be used to cauterise warts
~Drugs
 H2SO4 Sulphuric Acid ~ ¯ conc. to treat stomach hypoacidity
Strong acids are:
• Strong electrolytes
• ~ 100% ionisation Þ good conductors
• Severe burns to body tissue
* Stomach lining protected against HCl by mucus
 Dissociation in Water : Strong acids
Polar covalent molecules Þ ions
Eg. HCl(l) Þ H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
 Weak Acids (most acids in nature)
 CH3COOH Acetic Acid
~ Vaginal jellies, antimicrobial solution ® ears

H2CO3 Carbonic Acid

~Bicarbonate buffer system, carbonated drinks

 H3PO4 Phosphoric Acid

~ Drugs
• Weak acids are:
– Weak electrolytes
– Small % ionisation Þ weak conductors

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  Dissociation in Water: Weak acids
Polar covalent molecules
Þ Mainly stay as molecules
• Dissociation in water : Weak acids (cont)
CH3COOH (l) H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)
4. STRENGTHS OF BASES

 Strong Bases
Eg . NaOH Sodium Hydroxide
~ Removes grease (lipids).

Mg(OH)2 Magnesium hydroxide

~ Antacid ~ Laxative
 Al(OH)3 Aluminium hydroxide
~ Antacid
~ Absorbs toxins, gases
~ Causes constipation
Strong bases are:
• Strong electrolytes
• ~ 100% dissociation in water Þ good conductors
• Severe damage to skin & eyes
• Dissociation in Water : Strong bases
 Weak Bases
E.g. NH3 Ammonia
~ Waste product of protein break down in body.

 CO3 2- In antacids
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  HCO3 – In antacids, buffers
 HPO4 2- In buffers
• Weak bases are:
– Weak electrolytes
– Do not contain OH – but react with H2O

ACID-BASE NEUTRALISATION
 Neutralisation Reaction
Acid + Base ® Salt + Water
HCl + NaOH ® NaCl + H2O
Neutralise each other
Must be equal concentrations
 Antacids – clinical applications for side effects!!)
~ Neutralise excess stomach acid
~ Raise stomach pH > 4
 Pepsin inactive
~ Assist with ulcer treatment
Eg
 Mg(OH) 2 Milk of Magnesia
2HCl + Mg(OH) 2 ® MgCl 2 + 2H2O

 CaCO 3
2HCl + CaCO 3 ® CaCl 2 + H2O + CO 2 (g)
~Also a Ca 2 + supplement
Long term overuse Ca 2 + levels

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  risk kidney stones (renal calculi)

 NaHCO 3 Baking Soda

Not recommended!!
HCl + NaHCO 3 ® NaCl + H2O + CO2 (g)

Þ Stomach can ‘explode’

The importance of pH control

• The pH of the ECF remains between 7.35 and 7.45
– If plasma levels fall below 7.35 (acidemia), acidosis results
– If plasma levels rise above 7.45 (alkalemia), alkalosis results
– Alteration outside these boundaries affects all body systems
• Can result in coma, cardiac failure, and circulatory collapse

Common Acids
• Carbonic acid is most important factor affecting pH of ECF
– CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid
–
• Sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid
– Generated during catabolism of amino acids
• Organic acids
– Metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid, ketone bodies

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Mechanisms of pH control
• Buffer system consists of a weak acid and its anion
• Three major buffering systems:
1. Protein buffer system
• Amino acid
2. Hemoglobin buffer system
• H+ are buffered by hemoglobin
3. Carbonic acid-bicarbonate

Protein buffer system

• If pH climbs, the carboxyl group of amino acid acts as a weak acid
• If the pH drops, the amino group acts as a weak base