Factors Influencing Acidic and Basic Behaviour in Aqueous Solutions

4 Factors Influencing Acidic and Basic Behaviour in Aqueous Solutions 

Some binary hydrides (e.g. those of Groups 16 and 17) behave as acids in aqueous solution, but the majority of acids are oxoacids derived from acidic oxides. This discussion is restricted to the factors influencing the production of acids or bases when oxides dissolve in water. An oxide can be acidic, amphoteric i.e. acidic or basic depending upon conditions) or basic. 

A general understanding of oxide behaviour may be achieved by a consideration of the E—O—H grouping in the hydroxide produced by the reaction of an oxide with water (E representing any element)  

The compound behaves as an acid if the O-H bond is broken in a heterolytic manner, i.e. the oxygen atom retains both of the bonding electrons  

If the E—O bond breaks in a similar heterolytic manner, the compound exhibits basic behaviour  

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