CH 3-2: Acid/Base equilibrium; pKa’s What is “pKa”? pKa = -log Ka ??? ??? acid base conj. base conj. acid Let’s think of the pKa as an acid’s “affinity” for protons….. pKa range <0 - 35 strong acid…………..weak acid Ka range 103 - 10-35 strong acid weak acid
Characterizing acid strength: pKa scale (0 – 35) pKa < 2…….....strong acid (“inorganic acids”) pka ~ 5…...…..moderate acid (carboxylic acids) pKa 7 – 16……weak acids (ammonium ion, alcohols, water) pKa 25 – 35…..very weak acids (ammonia, amines, alkynes) pKa > 35……....little ionization in water (alkenes, alkanes)