Chapter 16: Problem 83
Write all the species (except water) that are present in a phosphoric acid solution. Indicate which species can act as a Br?nsted acid, which as a Bronsted base, and which as hoth a Br贸nsted acid and a Bronsted base.
Short Answer
Expert verified
H鈧働O鈧, H鈧侾O鈧勨伝, HPO鈧劼测伝 are Br酶nsted acids; H鈧侾O鈧勨伝, HPO鈧劼测伝, PO鈧劼斥伝 are bases. H鈧侾O鈧勨伝 and HPO鈧劼测伝 are both.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Phosphoric Acid Solution
Phosphoric acid (
H_3PO_4
) is a triprotic acid, meaning it can lose three protons (hydrogen ions) to form ions and other species in solution. It dissociates stepwise to form different anions: dihydrogen phosphate (
H_2PO_4^-
), hydrogen phosphate (
HPO_4^{2-}
), and phosphate (
PO_4^{3-}
).
02
Checking Each Species in Solution
In the solution, the possible species are:
1.
H_3PO_4
- the parent molecule.
2.
H_2PO_4^-
- formed after first dissociation.
3.
HPO_4^{2-}
- formed after second dissociation.
4.
PO_4^{3-}
- formed after third dissociation.
Each species represents a different state of proton loss from phosphoric acid.
03
Identifying Br酶nsted Acids
A Br酶nsted acid is a species that can donate a proton (
H^+
). In this solution:
-
H_3PO_4
can donate protons to form
H_2PO_4^-
.
-
H_2PO_4^-
can donate a proton to form
HPO_4^{2-}
.
-
HPO_4^{2-}
can donate a proton to form
PO_4^{3-}
.
04
Identifying Br酶nsted Bases
A Br酶nsted base is a species that can accept a proton (
H^+
). In this solution:
-
H_2PO_4^-
can accept a proton to reform
H_3PO_4
.
-
HPO_4^{2-}
can accept a proton to reform
H_2PO_4^-
.
-
PO_4^{3-}
can accept a proton to reform
HPO_4^{2-}
.
05
Identifying Amphiprotic Species
Species that can act as both a Br酶nsted acid and base are called amphiprotic. In this solution:
-
H_2PO_4^-
and
HPO_4^{2-}
can both accept and donate protons, making them amphiprotic.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Br酶nsted Acid
A Br酶nsted acid is a substance that has the ability to donate a proton (
H^+
) in a chemical reaction. In the context of a phosphoric acid solution, we identify several key species that can function as Br酶nsted acids. Phosphoric acid itself,
H_3PO_4
, is the primary Br酶nsted acid in this solution. It can donate a proton to form dihydrogen phosphate (
H_2PO_4^-
). Additionally,
H_2PO_4^-
can further act as a Br酶nsted acid by donating another proton to form hydrogen phosphate (
HPO_4^{2-}
), and finally,
HPO_4^{2-}
can donate a proton to form phosphate (
PO_4^{3-}
). Each of these successive deprotonations highlights the nature of Br酶nsted acids: their role in transferring protons to acceptor species.
Identifying these acids is critical in understanding the dynamic equilibrium of acid-base chemistry in solutions. As a substance loses a proton, it generally gains a charge, but it can also change its reactivity and participate differently in chemical reactions just like the conversions seen from H_3PO_4 to PO_4^{3-} .
Identifying these acids is critical in understanding the dynamic equilibrium of acid-base chemistry in solutions. As a substance loses a proton, it generally gains a charge, but it can also change its reactivity and participate differently in chemical reactions just like the conversions seen from H_3PO_4 to PO_4^{3-} .
Br酶nsted Base
A Br酶nsted base is any species capable of accepting a proton (
H^+
). In a phosphoric acid solution, we can see several species demonstrating Br酶nsted base properties. The dihydrogen phosphate ion (
H_2PO_4^-
) can accept a proton to revert back to the parent molecule, phosphoric acid (
H_3PO_4
). Following this,
HPO_4^{2-}
can accept a hydrogen ion to form
H_2PO_4^-
.
Lastly, the phosphate ion ( PO_4^{3-} ) demonstrates its ability to act as a Br酶nsted base by accepting a proton, becoming HPO_4^{2-} . This cycle of accepting protons is what defines the role of Br酶nsted bases in chemical equilibria, influencing not just acidity and basicity but also reaction mechanisms.
Understanding Br酶nsted bases in solutions helps illuminate the subtleties of interactions in acid-base chemistry, particularly in systems like polyprotic acids which can showcase complex behaviors.
Lastly, the phosphate ion ( PO_4^{3-} ) demonstrates its ability to act as a Br酶nsted base by accepting a proton, becoming HPO_4^{2-} . This cycle of accepting protons is what defines the role of Br酶nsted bases in chemical equilibria, influencing not just acidity and basicity but also reaction mechanisms.
Understanding Br酶nsted bases in solutions helps illuminate the subtleties of interactions in acid-base chemistry, particularly in systems like polyprotic acids which can showcase complex behaviors.
Amphiprotic Species
Amphiprotic species have the unique ability to act both as Br酶nsted acids and bases. This dual behavior stems from their capacity to either donate or accept protons depending upon the conditions of the surrounding solution. In a phosphoric acid solution, the species
H_2PO_4^-
and
HPO_4^{2-}
exhibit this amphiprotic nature.
H_2PO_4^- , for example, can donate a proton to become HPO_4^{2-} , acting as an acid. Conversely, it can accept a proton to revert into H_3PO_4 , thus serving as a base. Similarly, HPO_4^{2-} can act as an acid by donating a proton to form PO_4^{3-} , or as a base by accepting a proton to become H_2PO_4^- .
This ability makes amphiprotic species particularly versatile in buffering solutions, helping to maintain stable pH levels across different environments. Recognizing amphiprotic behavior is essential for predicting the behavior of solutions in various chemical contexts, especially in biochemical and industrial applications where precise control over pH is crucial.
H_2PO_4^- , for example, can donate a proton to become HPO_4^{2-} , acting as an acid. Conversely, it can accept a proton to revert into H_3PO_4 , thus serving as a base. Similarly, HPO_4^{2-} can act as an acid by donating a proton to form PO_4^{3-} , or as a base by accepting a proton to become H_2PO_4^- .
This ability makes amphiprotic species particularly versatile in buffering solutions, helping to maintain stable pH levels across different environments. Recognizing amphiprotic behavior is essential for predicting the behavior of solutions in various chemical contexts, especially in biochemical and industrial applications where precise control over pH is crucial.