Conjugate acid, definition

The values of Hn and E are zero for water, by virtue of the constants 1.74 and 2.60. In these definitions, pKa refers to the acid ionization constant of the conjugate acid of the nucleophile, and E° to the standard electrode potential for the two-electron half-reaction ... 

By definition, every carbanion possesses an unshared pair of electrons and is therefore a base. When a carbanion accepts a proton, it is converted to its conjugate acid (see Chapter 8). The stability of the carbanion is directly related to the strength of the conjugate acid. The weaker the acid, the greater the base strength and the lower the stability of the carbanion. Here, by stability we mean stability toward a proton donor the lower the stability, the more willing the carbanion is to accept a... 

The p/<, of a base is actually that of its conjugate acid. As the numeric value of the dissociation constant increases (i.e., pKa decreases), the acid strength increases. Conversely, as the acid dissociation constant of a base (that of its conjugate acid) increases, the strength of the base decreases. For a more accurate definition of dissociation constants, each concentration term must be replaced by thermodynamic activity. In dilute solutions, concentration of each species is taken to be equal to activity. Activity-based dissociation constants are true equilibrium constants and depend only on temperature. Dissociation constants measured by spectroscopy are concentration dissociation constants." Most piCa values in the pharmaceutical literature are measured by ignoring activity effects and therefore are actually concentration dissociation constants or apparent dissociation constants. It is customary to report dissociation constant values at 25°C. 

In the Bronsted definition, an acid donates a proton and a base accepts a proton. The strengths of acids and bases are measured by the extent to which they lose or gain protons, respectively. In these reactions acids are converted to their copjugate bases and bases to their conjugate acids. Acid-base reactions go in the direction of forming the weaker acid and the weaker base. 

The definition of pH is pH = —log[H+] (which will be modified to include activity later). Ka is the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an acid HA + H20 H30+ + A-. Kb is the base hydrolysis constant for the reaction B + H20 BH+ + OH. When either Ka or Kb is large, the acid or base is said to be strong otherwise, the acid or base is weak. Common strong acids and bases are listed in Table 6-2, which you should memorize. The most common weak acids are carboxylic acids (RC02H), and the most common weak bases are amines (R3N ). Carboxylate anions (RC02) are weak bases, and ammonium ions (R3NH+) are weak acids. Metal cations also are weak acids. For a conjugate acid-base pair in water, Ka- Kb = Kw. For polyprotic acids, we denote the successive acid dissociation constants as Kal, K, K, , or just Aj, K2, A"3, . For polybasic species, we denote successive hydrolysis constants Kbi, Kb2, A"h3, . For a diprotic system, the relations between successive acid and base equilibrium constants are Afa Kb2 — Kw and K.a Kbl = A w. For a triprotic system the relations are A al KM = ATW, K.d2 Kb2 = ATW, and Ka2 Kb, = Kw. 

For reactions with ammonia analogous products such as HN=PCl3 and HN =P(NH,)3 were proposed, but characterization was hampered by incomplete reactions, separation-resistant mixtures, and sensitivity to moisture. Furthermore, gradual polymerization occurred with loss of ammonia to yield phosph.im , a poorly characterized solid of approximate formula (PN2H)r us the ullimuie product. If instead of free ammonia its less reactive conjugate acid is used, reaction with PCI, proceeds at a moderate rate and the results are more definitive ... 

According to this definition, HC03 is the conjugate acid of C032 and OH- is the conjugate acid of O2-. 

Acids and bases react to give salts and (usually) water. That is one definition of a salt. So, when we say salt solution, we are really talking about solutions that contain the conjugate acid or base of some other acid or base. The pH of a salt solution depends on the acid/base strength of the acid or base from which it was derived. There are three permutations on the problem salts of strong ac-ids/bases, salts of weak acids, and salts of weak bases. Let s consider them each in turn. 

Definition of Acids and Bases 222 Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs 222 Amphoteric Species 224 Strong Acids 225 Strong Bases 225 Weak Acids 226 Weak Bases 226 Polyprotic Acids 227 Acid and Base Strength Ka and Kb 228 Acid/Base Strength of Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs 230 Acid-Base Reactions 231... 

Many substances in solution have the capability of releasing or absorbing protons. According to the classic Bronsted definition, acids are those substances that release protons and bases (alkalis) are those that accept protons. Thus, acetic acid is an acid, but acetate is a base. Ammonium ion (NH4+) is an acid, whereas ammonia (NH3) is a base. When an acid loses its proton, its conjugate base is formed, whereas when a base gains protons, its conjugate acid is generated. 

When a base accepts a proton, it becomes an acid capable of returning that proton. When an acid donates its proton, it becomes a base capable of accepting that proton back. One of the most important principles of the Br0nsted-Lowry definition is this concept of conjugate acids and bases. For example, NH4 and NH3 are a conjugate acid-base pair. NH3 is the base when it accepts a proton, it is transformed into its conjugate acid, NH4. Many compounds (water, for instance) can react either as an acid or as a base. Here are some additional examples of conjugate acid-base pairs. 

Acid-base equilibrium — Using the Bronsted-Lowry definition (see -> acid-base theories), an acid-base reaction involves a -> proton transfer from an acid to a base. Removal of a proton from an acid forms its conjugate base, while addition of a proton to a base forms its conjugate acid. Acid-base equilibrium is achieved when the -> activity (or -> concentration) of each conjugate... 

Such an equilibrium system is termed a conjugate (or corresponding) acid-base system. A and B are termed a conjugate acid-base pair. It is important to realize that the symbol H+ in this definition represents the bare proton (unsolvated hydrogen ion), and hence the new definition is in no way connected to any solvent. The equation expresses a hypothetical scheme for defining the acid and base - it can be regarded as a half reaction which takes place only if the proton, released by the acid, is taken up by another base. 

Conjugate add-base pairs Recall from Chapter 3 that the definition of adds and bases most useful to analytical chemistry is that of Bronsted, in which a conjugate acid-base pair is related by the reaction... 

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