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bronsted-lowry reaction?
I have a reaction
HCN(aq) + H2O(l) -> CN-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
my question is, is the reaction can be categorized as Bronsted-Lowry acid/base reaction or Lewis base/acid reaction? Pls explain why.
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
The reaction is both a Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction and a Lewis acid-base reaction.
Hydrocyanic acid donates its proton to water to form the cyanide ion and the hydronium ion. Hence, this is a Bronsted-Lowry acid base reaction.
It is a Lewis acid-base reaction, because the hydrogen from HCN accepts an electron pair from water, forming the hydronium ion, along with the cyanide ion.
Hence, this reaction can be classified as both BL and Lewis acid-base reactions.
- Robert DLv 71 decade ago
In the Bronsted-Lowry theory and acid is a proton donor, H^+, and a base is a proton acceptor. The reaction you have shown, HCN(aq) + H2O(l) -> CN-(aq) + H3O+(aq), can readily be explained by that theory.
HCN will donate a hydrogen ion to H2O producing H3O^+
The Lewis theory of acids and bases came along later. It is more inclusive and can also be used to explain the activity of the acid and base in the equation.
A Lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor. H2O is an electron pair donor. When the H^+ (electron pair acceptor) is provided by HCN, the electron pair donor, H2O receives the H^+.
Either of the theories can be used to explain the reaction. However, the Bronsted-Lowry theory is sometimes easier to understand in this type of reaction.
Hope this is helpful.
Source(s): http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105-04/bronsted.htm http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/acidbaseeqia/t... http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/De... - TheOnlyBeldinLv 71 decade ago
It's Bronsted-Lowry. HCN is acting as a proton donor, H2O as a proton acceptor.
- ?Lv 44 years ago
real conjugate acid, regardless of the reality that as yet yet another respond factors out the fact of H2SO3 (as against dissolved SO2) is unclear it truly is an project in determining ok for a blended reaction from the separate ok's for the stairs which would be used to get to it. standards: (i) on the same time as you combine reactions, you multiply their equilibrium constants. (ii) ok(backwards) = a million/ok(forwards) NH4+ = NH3 + H+(aq) ok = 5.6 x 10^-10 you need to combine this with HSO3- gaining H+, it truly is the opposite of H2SO3 appearing as an acid: HSO3- + H+(aq) = H2SO3 ok = a million/(Ka for H2SO3) = a million/(a million.2 x 10^-2) (it truly is the step that scholars are truly to get incorrect) Whenyou combine 2 reactions, you multiply mutually their equilibrium constants: NH4+ + HSO3- = NH3 + H2SO3; ok = (5.6 x 10^-10)/(a million.2 x 10^-2) Take it from there.
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