McMurry (Kap.2,7)

Question 1

How many definitions are there for the acid-base behavior of organic molecules.

Answer 1

2 definitions:
- Lewis definition
- Brønsted-Lowry definition

Question 2

How does the Brønsted-Lowry define acids and bases?

Answer 2

An acid is a substance that donates a hydrogen ion (H+)

A base is a substance that accepts a hydrogen ion (H+).

Question 3

When hydrogen chloride (HCl) dissolves in water, the polar HCL molecule acts as an acid and the water acts as a base.

HCL + H2O = Cl- + H3O+

What is called the conjugate base of the acid, and what is called the conjugate acid of the base?

Answer 3

Cl- is the conjugate base of the acid, and H3O+ is the conjugate acid of the base.

The product that results when the acid loses a proton = conjugate base

The product that results when the base gains a proton = conjugate acid.

Question 4

Water can act as an acid or a base depending on the circumstances.

Give an example of when water reacts as a base and an acid?

Answer 4

H2O + HCl = Cl- + H3O+
(water reacts as a base)

H2O + NH3 = NH4+ + OH-
(water reacts as an acid)