Acid/Base

[752779]

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Can someone please explain why (NH4)2HPO4 is a base, if so what is is the acid in the equation. Thanks

 

[theonlytycrane]

Break down (NH4)2HPO4. Each of the NH4 have a charge of +1 and HPO4 has a charge of -2. If you look at the right side of the equation, the NH4+ is still there. One of the HPO4's is now H2PO4 and H2O is now -OH. H2O donated a proton (acid) to HPO4 (base).

 

[752779]

Break down (NH4)2HPO4. Each of the NH4 have a charge of +1 and HPO4 has a charge of -2. If you look at the right side of the equation, the NH4+ is still there. One of the HPO4's is now H2PO4 and H2O is now -OH. H2O donated a proton (acid) to HPO4 (base).

wow, now I see it, I didn't see the reactant dissociates... super thanks!

 

[aldol16]

The phosphate system is a good one to be familiar with if only because it's a common laboratory buffer and so will likely come up in terms of that.

 

[752779]

The phosphate system is a good one to be familiar with if only because it's a common laboratory buffer and so will likely come up in terms of that.

Thanks for that good tip.. 🙂