The conjugate base of hydroxyl (OH-) is a crucial concept in chemistry, closely related to three other entities: hydroxide ion, water, hydronium ion, and the dissociation of water. Hydroxide ion is the conjugate base of water, while hydronium ion is its conjugate acid. The dissociation of water involves the equilibrium between water, hydroxide ion, and hydronium ion. Understanding the conjugate base of OH- provides insights into the behavior of these interconnected species in aqueous solutions and various chemical reactions.
Conjugate Base of OH–
The conjugate base of OH– is O2-.
- The conjugate base of an acid is the species that is formed when the acid donates a proton.
- In this case, OH– is the conjugate base of H2O, which is a weak acid.
When H2O donates a proton, it forms OH– and H+.
H2O + H+ → OH- + H2O
The equilibrium constant for this reaction is very small, which means that the reaction does not proceed very far to the right.
- As a result, the concentration of OH– in water is very low.
- The conjugate base of a strong acid is a weak base, and the conjugate base of a weak acid is a strong base.
- In this case, OH– is the conjugate base of a weak acid, so it is a strong base.
The following table compares the strength of OH– to other common bases:
| Base | Strength |
|---|---|
| OH– | Strong |
| NH3 | Weak |
| H2O | Very weak |
OH– is a very strong base because it is able to completely deprotonate most acids.
- For example, OH– can deprotonate HCl to form H2O and Cl–.
HCl + OH- → H2O + Cl-
- OH– is also a very reactive base, and it can react with many different types of compounds.
- For example, OH– can react with metal ions to form metal hydroxides.
Fe3+ + 3 OH- → Fe(OH)3
Question 1:
What is the conjugate base of OH-?
Answer:
The conjugate base of OH- is O2-.
Question 2:
Why is the conjugate base of a weak acid a strong base?
Answer:
The conjugate base of a weak acid is a strong base because it has a greater affinity for protons than the weak acid.
Question 3:
How does the conjugate base of an acid affect the acidity of the acid?
Answer:
The conjugate base of an acid affects the acidity of the acid by increasing the concentration of protons in solution.
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