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Salt Hydrolysis

This document discusses predicting the pH of salt solutions when dissolved in water through hydrolysis. Hydrolysis occurs when salt ions react with water, releasing or absorbing hydrogen (H+) or hydroxide (OH-) ions and changing the solution's pH. The document explains that sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) produces basic solutions because the phosphate (PO43-) ion absorbs more H+ ions through hydrolysis than the sodium (Na+) ion releases OH- ions. It also discusses using acid dissociation constants (Ka) and base dissociation constants (Kb) to theoretically predict a salt solution's exact pH and outlines steps to determine if a solution will be acidic, basic or neutral based on hydrolysis reactions. Finally, it

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292 views1 page

Salt Hydrolysis

This document discusses predicting the pH of salt solutions when dissolved in water through hydrolysis. Hydrolysis occurs when salt ions react with water, releasing or absorbing hydrogen (H+) or hydroxide (OH-) ions and changing the solution's pH. The document explains that sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) produces basic solutions because the phosphate (PO43-) ion absorbs more H+ ions through hydrolysis than the sodium (Na+) ion releases OH- ions. It also discusses using acid dissociation constants (Ka) and base dissociation constants (Kb) to theoretically predict a salt solution's exact pH and outlines steps to determine if a solution will be acidic, basic or neutral based on hydrolysis reactions. Finally, it

Uploaded by

nuramiraazizan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Predicting Hydrolysis of ions

Hydrolysis refers to a reaction with water (e.g.


the pH splitting water into H+ and OH–)
When salts are added to water, pH can change
of salt E.g. when Na3PO4 is added to water, ions form
Na3PO4(aq) → 3Na+(aq) + PO43–(aq)
solutions These ions may react with H2O, affecting the pH
PO43–(aq) + H+(aq) ↔ HPO42–(aq)
Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) ↔ NaOH (aq)
If the anion (-ve) reacts to remove lots of H+ but
the cation (+ve) removes very little OH–, then
H+ will decrease and the solution will be basic.

The degree of hydrolysis Accuracy of predictions


PO4 3–(aq)+ H+(aq)↔ HPO4 2–(aq) Theoretically, using Ka and Kb values you could
predict the exact pH resulting from a certain
Na+ + OH– ↔ NaOH
salt being added to distilled water.
• The problem with writing equilibria this way is
However, you only need to be able to predict if a
we do not know the strength of the reactions
solution will be acidic, basic, or neutral.
• However, if we reverse the reaction we can Note: you can’t judge the pH change solely on
look up Ka and Kb values (pg. 608, 615): the difference between Ka and Kb. Other
HPO42– ↔ PO43– + H+ Ka= 4.5 x 10–13 factors are involved (e.g. the formula of the
NaOH ↔ Na+ + OH– Kb= 55 compound and its molar mass both affect [ ])
• Small Ka: few products; adding PO43– = shift left Note: hydrolysis refers to reactions with water.
• Large Kb: mostly products; Na+ has little affect Several variations for writing equilibriums
• Thus, adding Na3PO4 will cause more H+ to be exist. However, focusing on how the H+/OH–
removed, resulting in a basic solution balance of water is affected is easiest.

Steps in determining pH Buffers - lab


1. Write the ions that form: e.g. NH4CN Read 15.6 (621-623) up to and including special
topic 15.2 (carbonate buffer)
2. Determine the reaction ions have with water: Calibrate pH meter, get a plastic bottle with
distilled H2O to rinse your pH meter btw tests
You will use 4 solutions (≈20 mL of each):
3. Look up the Ka of the conjugate acid and the distilled water, water + NaC2H3O2 (5 scoops),
Kb of the conjugate base: 0.2 M HC2H3O2, 0.2 M HC2H3O2 + NaC2H3O2
For each, record the initial pH and the pH upon
addition of 5, 10, and 15 drops of 1 M HCl
Remake the 4 solutions
4. Determine if more H+ or OH– is removed: For each, record the initial pH and the pH upon
addition of 5, 10, and 15 drops of 1 M NaOH

NaC2H3O2 Buffers - summary


HCl H2O NaC2H3O2 HC2H3O2
+ HC2H3O2 Solutions with buffers resist changes in pH, when
0 small amounts of acid or base are added
5 Buffers are important in blood, cells, resisting the
10 effects of acid rain on lake ecosystems.
15 A buffer is created when a weak acid is mixed
with a salt that contains the identical ion.
Na NaC2H3O2
H2O NaC2H3O2 HC2H3O2 Two equilibria contribute to the consistent [H+]
OH + HC2H3O2
0
5 HA ↔ H+ + A–
10 Na+ + A– ↔ NaA
15

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