Conjugate Acids and Bases

[97spooncivic]

Do all strong acids always have weak bases? Does the converse always apply to?

From my understanding, a strong acid has a stable conjugate base. Example, an alpha hydrogen on a keytone is more acidic because the negative charge can resonate, hence a more stable conjugate base. But does stability of the conjugate base have anything to do with the strength of the base?

I know strength of acids and bases is determined by the dissociation constant, but this stability thing kinda confused me.

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[CaliforniaKid]

A strong acid will have a weak conjugate base. A strong base will have a weak conjugate acid. A weak acid will have a strong conjugate base. A weak base will have a strong conjugate acid. pick and chose which two you want to memorize.


In general just remember a strong acid will have a stable conjugate base.

stable base (less reactive) = weak base
unstable base (more reactive) = strong base


A stable conjugate base is not a strong base (because it is stable. stable things are not reactive...etc).

Another way to think about it,
If your acid can lose a proton and its consequential negative charge is stabilized by...resonance, large electronegative atom, etc. Then that acid will be strong and readily give up a proton all day every dayyyyy!!! ya dig?