Using the pKa values of each compounds conjugate acid, predict the stronger base
ID: 846109 • Letter: U
Question
Using the pKa values of each compounds conjugate acid, predict the stronger base for the compounds listed:
A) H- B)OH- C)NH3
So working problems like this, since it says to use the pKa values of the conjugate acids, does that mean NH3's pKa would be roughly 9 because its conjugate acid is a protonated amine? Making the answer A? I'm trying to understand this so I can apply it to other questions similar to this, so please break this down as simply as possibly for me, or any other helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.
Explanation / Answer
NH4+ <=========> NH3 + H+ ; pKa = 9.25
H2O <=========> OH- + H+ ; pKa = 15.7
H2 <=========> H- + H+ ; pKa = 23.0
As we know that, pKa is inversily proportional to Acidic strength. In other words, pKa is directly proportional to basicity of conjugate base.
From the above values, H- is the strongest base among H-, OH-, NH3.
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