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Butyric acid is responsible for the foul smell of rancid butter. the pka of butyric acid is 4.84

calculate the pkb for the butyrate ion, the conjugate base of butyric acid.

User Jamiec
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Final answer:

To calculate the pKb of the butyrate ion, the conjugate base of butyric acid, we use the equation pKa + pKb = pKw, with pKa of butyric acid being 4.83. By rearranging the equation, we find that the pKb of the butyrate ion is 9.17, indicating it is a relatively weak base.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculating the pKb for the Butyrate Ion

The question asks to calculate the pKb for the butyrate ion, which is the conjugate base of butyric acid. Butyric acid has a pKa of 4.83 at 25°C. To find the pKb of the butyrate ion, we can use the relationship pKa + pKb = pKw, where pKw is the ionic product of water at 25°C and is equal to 14.00.

The pKa of butyric acid is given as 4.83. Therefore, we can rearrange the equation to solve for pKb:

  • pKb = pKw - pKa

pKb = 14.00 - 4.83

pKb = 9.17

This pKb value represents the strength of the butyrate ion as a base. A higher pKb value corresponds to a weaker base, meaning that the butyrate ion is a relatively weak base.

User Miki Tebeka
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