Given the following substances in order of increasing acid strength:
HOCl(aq) < HC2H3O2(aq) < HC2O4–(aq) < HOCN(aq) < HNO2(aq) < HCl(aq)
Which one of the species in the set listed below is the strongest base of that set?(- means minus)
Cl-(aq)
OCl–(aq)
NO2–(aq)
H2C2O4(aq)
OCN–(aq)
2007-02-28 09:20:20 · 3 answers · asked by Ryan C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
All of those bases you have listed are called conjugate bases (stuff left over after H+ dissociates) because it has a tendency to gain a H+. The stronger the acid the weaker the conjugate base. The weaker the acid the stronger the conjugate base. Therefore the weakest acid will produce the strongest conjugate base. HOCl is the weakest acid, so OCl- is the strongest base.
2007-02-28 10:01:37 · answer #1 · answered by anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The strongest acid always has the weakest conjugate base. The weakest acid always has the strongest conjugate base. So, for instance, HCl is a strong acid, easily forming hydronium ions in water. But Cl- is a very weak base, because it picks up hydrogen only weakly.
2007-02-28 10:01:25 · answer #2 · answered by bonhommecretienne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've been given the order of acid strengths. All you need to do is to realise that the strongest acid has the weakest conjugate base, and vice versa. HOCl is identified as the weakest acid...
Over to you!
I think you may have made a mistake with H2C2O4.
2007-02-28 09:57:02 · answer #3 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋