Question

For each of the following aqueous reactions, identify the acid, the base, the conjugate base, and the conjugate acid. (Type your answer using the format [NH4] for NH4 and [Ni(CN)4]2- for Ni(CN)42-.) (a) Al(H2O)63 H2O equilibrium reaction arrow H3O Al(H2O)5(OH)2

Answer 1

Acid: [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺

Base: H₂O

Conjugate base: [Al(H₂O)₅(OH)]²⁻

Step-by-step explanation:

(a) For the reaction:

[Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺ + H₂O ⇄ H₃O⁺ + [Al(H₂O)₅(OH)]²⁻

The acid: [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺

The base: H₂O

The conjugate base: [Al(H₂O)₅(OH)]²⁻

According to the Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory, the reaction of an acid and base occurs by the exchange of a proton. The acid forms its conjugate base, and the base forms its conjugate acid in the reaction.

Hence, by the above definition, the [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺ is the acid that forms its conjugate base [Al(H₂O)₅(OH)]²⁻ and the H₂O is the base that forms its acid conjugate H₃O⁺ when they react and the [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺ lose a proton to the H₂O.

I hope it helps you!