What are some of the criteria I should follow for determining whether one acid is stronger than the other or the same thing for bases.
For example, in the exercise 6C:21, how do I know that HCOOH is a stronger acid than CH3COOH?
Thanks!
Criteria For Stronger Acids/Bases
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Anton Truskovsky 2K
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Re: Criteria For Stronger Acids/Bases
Generally, an acid is going to be stronger if it is easier for the H+ to "break off".
As atomic radii increases, the bond lengths get longer and weaker, so the H+ dissociates more easily than if you had strong short bonds. You can look at the atomic radii as one of your clues.
Another clue is the amount of oxygens on the compound. More oxygens means the bond strength is weaker, so the H+ breaks off more easily.
One more clue is the amount of resonance structures. More resonance structures means that once the H+ does break off, the negative charge is more evenly distributed around the atoms and the molecule is more stable. So more resonance structures=stronger acid.
As atomic radii increases, the bond lengths get longer and weaker, so the H+ dissociates more easily than if you had strong short bonds. You can look at the atomic radii as one of your clues.
Another clue is the amount of oxygens on the compound. More oxygens means the bond strength is weaker, so the H+ breaks off more easily.
One more clue is the amount of resonance structures. More resonance structures means that once the H+ does break off, the negative charge is more evenly distributed around the atoms and the molecule is more stable. So more resonance structures=stronger acid.
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