Question

6.) (5 points) Assume you have a system with a fixed pH of 4.0. It is well buffered and therefore the pH will not change. What is the predominant state of a molecule with a dissociable proton with a pKa of 5.2 if it is introduced to that system (protonated or deprotonated)

Answer 1

Dissociated state is the predominant one

Step-by-step explanation:

When a molecule with pKa of 4.52 is in an aqueous solution at pH = 4.0, follows the H-H equation, thus:

pH = pKa + log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]

Where [A⁻] is the dissociated state and [HA] represents the protonated state

Replacing:

4.0 = 5.2 + log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]

-1.2 = log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]

0.063 = [A⁻] / [HA]

[HA] = 16 [A⁻]

That means you have 16 times more [HA] than [A⁻] and the dissociated state is the predominant one