Why is sulfuric acid considered a Bronsted acid?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 28, 2016

Because it is a proton donor in aqueous solution.

Explanation:

The first protonation:

#H_2SO_4(aq) + H_2O(l) rarr HSO_4^(-) + H_3O^+#

This reaction goes to completion in water.

However, the conjugate base of sulfuric acid, bisulfate anion, is itself a reasonably strong Bronsted acid:

#HSO_4^(-) + H_2O rarr SO_4^(2-) + H_3O^+#

Overall, #H_2SO_4(aq) + 2H_2O(l) rarr 2H_3O^(+) + SO_4^(2-)#

As in any chemical reaction, both MASS and CHARGE are conserved.

PS I once asked a Scandinavian, who was an excellent linguist, what was the difference in pronunciation between #"Bronsted"#, and #"Brønsted"#. Given that he knew that I am a very poor linguist, he just laughed and said not to bother.

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