Question

The hydrogen phosphate ion has an important role in regulating blood pH and can act as either an acid or a base.

Write the chemical equation for the reaction of hydrogen phosphate ion with water when the ion acts as a base.
Clearly identify the acid, the base, the conjugate acid, and the conjugate base for this reaction

Answer 1

The hydrogen phosphate ion acts as a base when it reacts with water, accepting a hydrogen ion to form dihydrogen phosphate and a hydroxide ion. In this reaction, water serves as the acid, and the dihydrogen phosphate and hydroxide ions are the conjugate acid and conjugate base, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of the hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO42-) with water when it acts as a base can be represented by the following chemical equation:

HPO42- + H2O → H2PO4- + OH-

In this reaction, the hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO42-) accepts a hydrogen ion (H+) from water, thereby acting as a base. Water (H2O) is acting as the acid because it donates a hydrogen ion. The products of the reaction are the dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4-), which is the conjugate acid of the hydrogen phosphate ion, and the hydroxide ion (OH-), which is the conjugate base of water.