Question

Use the Réferences to access Answer the questions about the Bronsted acid-base reaction below. (Click the References button and then click the Tables link on the window that appears.) acetonitrile anion water acetonitrile hydroxide The stronger base is hydroxide Its conjugate acid is water The species that predominate at equilibrium are the reactants Submit Answer Submit Quiz
0 0
Add a comment Improve this question Transcribed image text
Answer #1

The Bronsted acid-base reaction is given.

                

The two bases present in the equilibrium system are acetonitrile anion (-CH2CN) and hydroxide (OH-). The stronger base is hydroxide (OH-).

The conjugate acid of acetonitrile anion is acetonitrile (CH3CN) and the conjugate acid of hydroxide is water (HOH).

The direction of the equilibrium reaction can be predicted by comparing the pKa values of the conjugate acids. An acid-base reaction proceeds in the direction of the weaker acid, i.e, the equilibrium favors the side containing a weaker acid. This is due to the fact that a weaker acid is lower in energy (more stable) than a stronger acid and equilibrium always favors the more stable molecules or compounds.

The pKa values are

HOH = 14.0

CH3CN = 25.0

The pKa of an acid is defined as

pKa = -log Ka

The higher the pKa , the lower is the Ka and consequently, weaker is the acid. Therefore, a lower value of pKa denotes a stronger acid. Thus, HOH, having a lower pKa than CH3CN, is a stronger acid. Thus, a stronger acid reacts with a base to produce a weaker acid. Consequently, the reaction is product-favored, i.e, the equilibrium favors the products and the reaction proceeds to the right. Therefore, the products predominate at equilibrium.

Add a comment
Know the answer?
Add Answer to:
Use the Réferences to access Answer the questions about the Bronsted acid-base reaction below. (Click the...
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for? Ask your own homework help question. Our experts will answer your question WITHIN MINUTES for Free.
Similar Homework Help Questions
ADVERTISEMENT
Free Homework Help App
Download From Google Play
Scan Your Homework
to Get Instant Free Answers
Need Online Homework Help?
Ask a Question
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 3 hours.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT