What is the conjugate acid of HPO2^2-?

1 Answer
mason m · Truong-Son N.
Dec 12, 2015

#"H"_2"PO"_2^-#

Explanation:

If we can find the conjugate acid of #"HPO"_2^(2-)#, then #"HPO"_2^(2-)# itself is a base.

Since it has a negative charge, it must lack a positive charge, i.e. it lacks a proton. Therefore, it wants to act as a Bronsted base.

If the molecule is a Bronsted base, then it can accept a proton #("H"^+)#.

Thus, if we add a hydrogen ion (a proton) to the ion, we get #"H"_2"PO"_2^-#.

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