Weak Base - A Typical PH Problem

A Typical PH Problem

Calculate the pH and percentage protonation of a .20 M aqueous solution of pyridine, C5H5N. The Kb for C5H5N is 1.8 x 10−9.

First, write the proton transfer equilibrium:

The equilibrium table, with all concentrations in moles per liter, is

C5H5N C5H6N+ OH-
initial normality .20 0 0
change in normality -x +x +x
equilibrium normality .20 -x x x
Substitute the equilibrium molarities into the basicity constant
We can assume that x is so small that it will be meaningless by the time we use significant figures.
Solve for x.
Check the assumption that x << .20 ; so the approximation is valid
Find pOH from pOH = -log with =x
From pH = pKw - pOH,
From the equation for percentage protonated with = x and initial = .20,

This means .0095% of the pyridine is in the protonated form of C5H5NH+.

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