The hydrogen oxalate ion is amphoteric. Write two balanced chemical equations to illustrate this property. What is the conjugate acid of this ion and what is its conjugate base?
1 Answer
See explanation.
Explanation:
As you know, an amphoteric compound can act both as a Bronsted - Lowry acid and a Bronsted - Lowry base.
More specifically, the hydrogen oxalate ion,
Now, what would you expect to see when the hydrogen oxalate ion acts as an acid in aqueous solution?
Well, since it donates a proton, its net charge will go from
Moreover, the acidity of the solution should increase, i.e. its pH should decrease. This tells you that the concentration of hydronium ions,
#"CH"_2"O"_text(4(aq])^(-) + "H"_2"O"_text((l]) rightleftharpoons "C"_2"O"_text(4(aq])^(2-) + "H"_3"O"_text((aq])^(+)#
The conjugate base of a Bronsted - Lowry acid is the chemical species that remains after the acid donates a proton.
In this case, the oxalate anion,
How about when the hydrogen oxalate acts as a base in aqueous solution?
Well, this time it's accepting a proton, so its charge will go from
Moreover, the basicity of the solution will Increase, i.e. its pH will increase. This tells you that teh concentration of hydroxide ions,
#"CH"_2"O"_text(4(aq])^(-) + "H"_2"O"_text((l]) rightleftharpoons "H"_2"C"_2"O"_text(4(aq]) + "OH"_text((aq])^(-)#
The conjugate acid of a Bronsted - Lowry base is the chemical species that remains after the base accepts a proton.
In this case, oxalic acid,