Block 5 - Acids and Bases Flashcards
Brønsted acid
A substance that has a proton (H+) which can be taken by a base
Any molecule that contains H joined to a more electronegative atom
Brønsted base
A substance that can take a proton from an acid
Has a lone pair of electrons
Amphoteric species
Species that act as both acids and bases
e.g. H2O, H2PO4
Diprotic, tripotic acids
Some acids can give up more than one proton, where removal of each proton is a distinct step
Conjugate base
The species left behind after the Brønsted acid has transferred a proton
Conjugate acid
The species produced when the Brønsted base accepts a proton
Equilibrium constant (Kw)
Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = 10^-14
What does Kw depend on
Temperature dependant
Since auto-ionisation of water is endothermic, Kw increases with temperature
What is ‘p’
A short-hand for -log10
pH < 7, pH = 7, pH > 7
pH < 7 = acidic
pH = 7 = neutral
pH > 7 = basic
pH < 0
pH can be less than 0, but rare and only happens if solution is highly acidic
Strong acid
Where equilibrium lies far to the right
Uses full arrow (–>)
Weak acid
Equilibrium arrow used
Strong and weak acids - concentration
Definition of strong and weak acids is independent of concentration
Proton transfer reactions - speed
Fast, so acid-base systems reach equilibrium rapidly
Strong and weak acids - equilibrium
Strong acid: equilibrium lies far to the right
Weak acid: equilibrium lies more to the left
Ka
Known as acidity constant, acid dissociation constant, acid ionisation constant
Strength of acid - Ka
Large value of Ka –> more reaction lies to right –> stronger acid
Strength of acid - pKa
Smaller pKa –> stronger acid
Strong acid and strong base - pKa
Strong acid: pKa < 0
Strong base: pKa > 14
As an acid gets weaker…
Its conjugate base gets stronger
Bonds are strongest when…
They are short (joined atoms are close together) and electron density between the two joined atoms is large
What affects acidity (strength of acid)
More positive or negative charge
Charge stabilisation:
- Inductive effects
- Delocalisation
Acidity - positive and negative charges
It’s easier for a positively charged molecule to lose a positively charged proton
Ease of proton transfer decreases as charge on molecule becomes more negative
Acidity - charge stabilisation by inductive effects
Presence of nearby electronegative atoms / EWGs move charge away from acidic H –> -H bonds weaker –> stronger acid
Acidity - charge stabilisation by delocalisation
Allows charge to be spread out over a large number of atoms
Can occur through resonance