How do you determine conjugate acid-base pairs?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 17, 2016

Simply exchange a proton, H^+, and conserve mass and charge.

Explanation:

See this answer; and also see this answer, and also see this [answer.](https://socratic.org/questions/what-is-the-conjugate-acid-of-hso-4-2)

Do not be intimidated by this sort of question. All we are doing is taking the starting formula, HX, H_2SO_4, HNO_3, or even HCO_3^-, and removing a proton, H^+, to form the conjugate bases, X^-, HSO_4^-, NO_3^-, and CO_3^(2-) . As with all such chemical reactions, both MASS and CHARGE are conserved.

If I switch the solvent to ammonia, NH_3, rather than water, what is the conjugate base of ammonia in solvent of ammonia (i.e., here NH_3 takes on the role of H_2O)? What is the conjugate acid? I could even switch the solvent to an acidic solvent such as HF, or H_2SO_4. What are the conjugate acids in these solvents?

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