Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

3. Acids and Bases

Ranking Acidity

Organic Chemistry

3. Acids and Bases

Ranking Acidity

Previous problemNext problem

4:45 minutes

Problem 37c

Textbook Question

Using qualitative reasoning for the acid–base reactions shown,
(i) which is stronger, the base or the conjugate base?
(ii) Which side of the reaction is favored?
(iii) Would you expect a K_eq greater than or less than 1?
(c)

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Analyze the acid-base reaction provided. The reaction involves Cl⁻ (base) reacting with H₃O⁺ (acid) to form H₂O and HCl. Identify the base (Cl⁻) and the conjugate base (H₂O).

Step 2: Compare the strengths of the base (Cl⁻) and the conjugate base (H₂O). H₂O is a neutral molecule and is generally weaker as a base compared to Cl⁻, which is an anion and has a stronger tendency to accept protons.

Step 3: Determine which side of the reaction is favored. Since HCl is a strong acid, it dissociates almost completely in water, favoring the formation of H₃O⁺ and Cl⁻. This indicates that the equilibrium lies to the left side of the reaction.

Step 4: Use the equilibrium constant (Keq) to predict whether it is greater than or less than 1. Since the reaction favors the left side (reactants), the equilibrium constant (Keq) would be less than 1.

Step 5: Summarize the reasoning: The base (Cl⁻) is stronger than the conjugate base (H₂O). The reaction favors the left side (reactants), and the equilibrium constant (Keq) is expected to be less than 1.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Acid-Base Theory

Acid-base theory explains the behavior of acids and bases in chemical reactions. According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory, acids are proton donors while bases are proton acceptors. In the given reaction, H3O+ acts as an acid by donating a proton, while Cl- acts as a base by accepting it. Understanding this theory is crucial for analyzing the strength of acids and bases in reactions.

Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs

Conjugate acid-base pairs consist of two species that differ by the presence of a proton (H+). When an acid donates a proton, it forms its conjugate base, while the base that accepts the proton becomes its conjugate acid. In the reaction shown, HCl is the conjugate acid of Cl-, and H2O is the conjugate base of H3O+. Recognizing these pairs helps in determining the relative strengths of acids and bases.

Equilibrium and Reaction Favorability

In acid-base reactions, the position of equilibrium indicates which side is favored. The stronger acid and stronger base will favor the formation of the weaker acid and weaker base. The equilibrium constant (K) can be used to quantify this favorability; if K is greater than 1, the products are favored, while if less than 1, the reactants are favored. This concept is essential for predicting the outcome of acid-base reactions.

Watch next

Master Why we need factors affecting acidity and when to use them. with a bite sized video explanation from Johnny

Start learning