All Questions
Tagged with acid-base inorganic-chemistry
75
questions
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Hydrogen halide acidity
Why is it that
$$\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}(\ce{HF}) < \mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}(\ce{HCl}) < \mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}(\ce{HBr}) < \mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}(\ce{HI}),$$
even though the electronegativity ...
- 6,233
41
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why is arsenous acid denoted H3AsO3?
Inspired by this question, I'm wondering why arsenous acid is frequently denoted $\ce{H3AsO3}$, as opposed to $\ce{As(OH)3}$, which would appear to more accurately reflect its connectivity?
[edit]
I ...
- 10.9k
9
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why does the inverse relationship between the strengths of an acid and its conjugate base appear to be violated in the case of chloric(I) acid?
Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}(\ce{HClO}) = 7.53$. Then why is its conjugate base, $\ce{ClO-}$, a weak base in water? Shouldn't the strength of the base be inversely ...
- 205
13
votes
3
answers
9k
views
How can the equilibrium shift, while Kc remains constant?
Consider the following reversible reaction.
$$\ce{Cr2O7^2-(aq) + H2O(l) <=> 2 CrO4^2-(aq) + 2 H+(aq)}$$
What will happen to the position of equilibrium and the value of $K_c$ when more $\ce{H+}$ ...
- 557
8
votes
1
answer
6k
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Why do sodium halides react so differently with sulfuric acid?
Why do sodium halides react so differently with sulfuric acid?
\begin{align}
\ce{NaF + H2SO4 &-> NaHSO4 + HF}
\tag{1a}\label{NaF}\\
\ce{NaCl + H2SO4 &-> NaHSO4 + HCl}
\tag{...
- 909
13
votes
2
answers
10k
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Should bromine water be called a solution?
Bromine water is a reagent which is used to test for unsaturation in organic compound. It is $2.8~\%$ bromine in water. In many places, it is refer to as bromine solution.
But it is observed that ...
- 26.3k
2
votes
1
answer
941
views
How to determine the strongest oxyacid of chlorine?
Which is the strongest acid here?
$\ce{HClO}$
$\ce{HClO2}$
$\ce{HClO3}$
$\ce{HClO4}$
I found this question, didn't really get the first answer, but this one in particular seemed interesting.
...
- 845
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How is volatility useful in the production of acids?
Sulfuric acid because of its low volatility can be used to manufacture more volatile acids from their corresponding salts.
How does volatility affect the production of acids? Isn't it that sulfuric ...
- 3,487
13
votes
2
answers
26k
views
Why is carbon dioxide considered a Lewis acid?
$\ce{CO2}$ is considered a Lewis acid. How it is an acid? According to Lewis: “species that accept an electron pair are acids”. But $\ce{CO2}$ can't accept electron pairs because oxygen and carbon ...
- 151
7
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why do diluted sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide etch copper only when chloride ions are present?
I've mixed 30 ml 10% sulfuric acid with 20 ml 3% hydrogen peroxide and put a drop of this solution onto copper foil. The solution quickly removed the oxide layer from the copper but did not dissolve ...
- 191
7
votes
3
answers
50k
views
Is magnesium sulfate basic, neutral or acidic?
A question in my college test was whether $\ce{MgSO4}$ is neutral, acidic or basic. I was told to solve this kind of problem by hydrolyzing any ions that do not "come from" a strong acid or a strong ...
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Reactivity of boron towards acids
Boron is a non-metal, i.e. it accepts electrons and acids donate electrons, so boron should react with acid but it doesn't. Why?
- 49
18
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Why is it considered acid rain with pH <5.6?
I recently read in a book that rain is considered acid rain if the pH falls below 5.6. However a substance is acidic when the pH is below 7; so why is the boundary for acid rain 5.6?
I was thinking ...
- 748
11
votes
2
answers
17k
views
Do hydrogen halides (HX) form strong or weak acids?
I know that when dissolved in water, hydrogen halides ($\ce{H-X}$), become acids. I know that $\ce{HF}$ forms a weak acid, but can it be generalized that all $\ce{HX}$ acids do so?
- 489
11
votes
1
answer
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Why can't phosphorus trifluoride be used as a Lewis acid catalyst in electrophilic substitution of benzene?
Which of the following cannot be used as Lewis acid in the electrophilic substitution of benzene?
$\ce{BF3}$
$\ce{SbCl3}$
$\ce{FeCl3}$
$\ce{PF3}$
My Attempt:
$\ce{BF3}$ and $\ce{...
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