Skip to main content
Ch. 2 - Acids and Bases: Central to Understanding Organic Chemistry
Bruice - Organic Chemistry 8th Edition
Bruice8th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213711Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 46b

For each of the following compounds, indicate the pH at which
b. more than 99% of the compound is in a form that possesses a charge.
    1. CH3CH2COOH (pKa = 4.9)
    2. CH3N+H3 (pKa = 10.7)

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The question asks for the pH at which more than 99% of the compound is in a charged form. This involves determining whether the compound is protonated or deprotonated based on its pKa value and the pH of the solution.
Step 2: Recall the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation: pH=pKa+log([A^-][HA]). This equation relates the pH, pKa, and the ratio of the concentrations of the deprotonated form ([A⁻]) to the protonated form ([HA]).
Step 3: For more than 99% of the compound to be in the charged form, the ratio of [A⁻] to [HA] (or vice versa, depending on the compound) must be at least 99:1. This corresponds to a difference of 2 in the logarithmic scale (log(99) ≈ 2).
Step 4: For CH3CH2COOH (pKa = 4.9), the charged form is CH3CH2COO⁻. To achieve 99% deprotonation, the pH must be at least 2 units higher than the pKa. Use the relationship: pH=pKa+2. Substitute the pKa value to find the pH.
Step 5: For CH3N⁺H3 (pKa = 10.7), the charged form is CH3N⁺H3. To achieve 99% protonation, the pH must be at least 2 units lower than the pKa. Use the relationship: pH=pKa-2. Substitute the pKa value to find the pH.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
3m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Acid-base equilibrium refers to the balance between the concentrations of acids and their conjugate bases in a solution. The pKa value indicates the strength of an acid; lower pKa values correspond to stronger acids. Understanding this equilibrium is crucial for predicting the protonation state of compounds at different pH levels.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:00
Determining Acid/Base Equilibrium

pH and Charge

pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, influencing the protonation state of acidic and basic functional groups. For a compound to be more than 99% charged, the pH must be significantly lower than the pKa for acids or higher than the pKa for bases. This relationship helps determine the predominant form of a compound in solution.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:34
Calculating formal and net charge.

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation relates pH, pKa, and the ratio of the concentrations of the deprotonated and protonated forms of an acid. It is expressed as pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]). This equation is essential for calculating the pH at which a specific percentage of a compound exists in its charged form, aiding in the analysis of the compounds in the question.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:02
Breaking down the different terms of the Gibbs Free Energy equation.